Charlotte is a feminine given name of French origin. It comes from the masculine French name Charles, which means "free man" or "strong". The name Charlotte has been popular throughout history and has been borne by many notable figures.
The name first came into prominence in France during the Middle Ages. It was used as a feminine form of the name Charles, which was itself derived from the Germanic word "karl", meaning "strong" or "free man". In the 14th century, the French king Charles V named one of his daughters Charlotte, and this helped to popularize the name.
Charlotte became particularly fashionable in France during the reign of Queen Marie-Antoinette (1755-1793), who was born Charlotte in Austria but was known by her French nickname "Maria" after her baptismal name Marie-Anne. Many French women adopted the name Charlotte during this period, and it continued to be popular throughout the 19th century.
The name Charlotte has also been used in other European countries besides France. In Germany, for example, Charlotte is a traditional name with royal connections. It was the name of several German princesses and queens, including Queen Charlotte of Wurttemberg (1787-1843) and Crown Princess Charlotte of Prussia (1860-1919).
Today, Charlotte continues to be a popular name around the world. According to the Social Security Administration in the United States, it was the 9th most popular girl's name in 2020. The name has also been used by several celebrities and historical figures, including Queen consort Charlotte of the United Kingdom (1744-1818), actresses Charlotte Gainsbourg and Charlotte Rampling, and singer-songwriter Charlotte Gesser.
Overall, Charlotte is a classic feminine name with French origins that means "free man" or "strong". It has been popular throughout history and has been borne by many notable figures. Today, it remains a popular choice for parents around the world.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Charlotte has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States.
The earliest year with available data is 1915, with 8 births that year. The number of births named Charlotte fluctuated between 6 and 15 throughout the 1920s and 1930s. However, there was a significant increase starting from 1938, with 26 births that year, indicating an upward trend in popularity.
This trend continued into the 1940s, with the highest number of births reaching 74 in 1963. The name remained popular throughout the 1950s and 1960s, with consistent numbers ranging from 31 to 85 births per year.
However, starting from the late 1970s, there was a noticeable decline in popularity, with the number of births named Charlotte dropping below 50 each year. This continued into the early 1980s, reaching as low as 26 births in 1988.
The name experienced a slight resurgence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but it remained relatively uncommon compared to its peak popularity in the mid-20th century. However, since around 2008, there has been another upward trend in the number of births named Charlotte.
In recent years, from 2016 onwards, the name Charlotte has seen a consistent increase in popularity, with over 70 births each year. In 2022, there were 74 births named Charlotte in the United States.
Overall, while Charlotte experienced significant fluctuations in popularity throughout the decades, it remains a recognizable and enduring name choice for parents in the United States.