The name Charles is of French origin and is derived from the Germanic personal name "Karl," which means "free man" or "strong." The name has been popular throughout history and has been borne by several notable figures, including King Charles I of England, who ruled from 1625 to 1649, and Emperor Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire, who reigned from 1519 to 1556. Today, the name Charles continues to be widely used around the world and is often associated with royalty and nobility due to its historic connections with ruling figures.
Charles is a classic and timeless name that has been given to newborns in the United States for over a century. Between 1886 and 1987, there were a total of 722 births registered with the name Charles.
The popularity of the name Charles has varied throughout history, with peaks and valleys in its usage. In the early years, from 1886 to 1900, there was an average of about six births per year. However, starting around 1912, the number of newborns named Charles began to rise significantly.
In 1914, a record high of 17 babies were named Charles in a single year. This popularity continued through the early 1920s, with an average of about 15 births per year during this period. The name's popularity declined slightly in the mid-1930s but rebounded again in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
Interestingly, there were no recorded births with the name Charles in 1954, which is quite unusual given its consistent usage throughout history. However, the name reappeared in subsequent years, with an average of about eight births per year from 1956 to 1972.
The popularity of the name Charles experienced a resurgence in recent decades. In 1985 and 1987, there were 11 and 10 births registered with this name, respectively, indicating that it remained a favored choice for parents even at the end of the recorded period.