Charleigh is a unique and distinctive given name of English origin. It is derived from the traditional English surname Charley, which itself has two possible origins. The most common derivation of Charley is as an Anglicized form of the Norman French name Charles, meaning "free man" or "strong". This name was popular among the Normans who invaded England in 1066, and it has been widely used in English-speaking countries ever since.
The other possible origin of Charley is from the English word "charcoal", which refers to black, burned wood used for fuel. It is believed that this name was given as a occupational surname to people involved in the production or sale of charcoal. However, this derivation is less common than the Norman French origin.
Despite its traditional roots, the name Charleigh has only become popular in recent years. It first appeared on the Social Security Administration's list of most popular baby names in the United States in 2018, ranking at number 976 for girls' names that year. Since then, it has continued to gain popularity and is now considered a trendy and fashionable choice for parents looking for unique names with a modern twist.
While Charleigh may be a relatively new addition to the list of popular baby names, its roots can be traced back through centuries of English history. Its traditional origins give it a sense of timelessness and familiarity, while its unique spelling and pronunciation make it stand out from more common names like Charlotte or Charlie. Overall, Charleigh is an attractive choice for parents looking for a name that combines tradition with modernity and individuality.
The name Charleigh has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. In the early 1980s, there were only a handful of babies named Charleigh each year, with just 8 births recorded in 1985 and 5 in 1986.
However, starting from the late 1980s, there was a noticeable rise in the number of girls named Charleigh. In 1995, the number of births jumped to 14, and by 1998, it had reached 28. The year 1999 marked a significant turning point with 35 babies named Charleigh, indicating that the name was starting to gain traction.
The early 2000s saw a steady increase in the popularity of the name Charleigh. In 2007, there were 117 births, and by 2010, this number had more than doubled to 253. The year 2011 was a significant milestone with 349 babies named Charleigh, making it one of the most popular years for the name.
The popularity of Charleigh continued to rise throughout the 2010s, with peaks in 2016 (672 births) and 2018 (685 births). Even during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, the name maintained its popularity with 639 and 643 births respectively. However, there was a slight decline in 2022 with 559 births, followed by another decrease to 488 births in 2023.
In total, from 1985 to 2023, there have been 8739 babies named Charleigh born in the United States. This trend reflects a growing appreciation for unique and distinctive names among parents, with Charleigh being a popular choice for many families over the past few decades.