Charlotte is a feminine given name of French origin. It means "free man" or "small". The name Charlotte has been popular among royal families throughout history. For instance, the British monarchs Queen Charlotte (1744-1818) and Queen Charlotte of Cambridge (born 2015) both bear this name. Additionally, it is believed that the famous French author Charlotte Brontë derived her name from Charlotte Augusta Matilda, Princess Royal of the United Kingdom. Today, Charlotte remains a popular choice for parents seeking a sophisticated yet classic name for their daughter.
The name Charlotte has been a popular choice for parents in the United States over the past century, with a total of 3,461 babies being named Charlotte since 1914. The name's popularity has waxed and waned over the years, but it has consistently remained in the public consciousness.
In the early part of the 20th century, Charlotte was quite popular, with over 7 births each year between 1916 and 1923. However, the number of Charlotte births began to decline after this period, reaching a low point of just 8 births in 1943.
The mid-20th century saw a resurgence in popularity for the name Charlotte, with over 50 births each year between 1946 and 1957. This trend continued into the 1960s and early 1970s, with over 40 births per year until 1973.
After this point, however, the popularity of the name Charlotte began to decline once again. Between 1974 and 2005, there were fewer than 20 births per year for the name Charlotte in the United States. This period saw several years with single-digit birth numbers, including just 6 births in 2000.
However, in recent years, the name Charlotte has seen a significant resurgence in popularity. Between 2006 and 2023, there have been over 15 births per year for the name Charlotte, with several years seeing over 30 births each year. In fact, the name Charlotte reached its highest point of popularity since the 1940s in 2023, with 42 babies being named Charlotte.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate that while the name Charlotte has seen periods of fluctuation in popularity, it has remained a well-loved choice for parents across the United States. With its timeless elegance and strong historical significance, it is clear why Charlotte continues to be a popular choice for parents looking for a classic and meaningful name for their child.