Charlotte is a feminine given name of French origin. It comes from the masculine French given name Charles, which means "free man" or "strong". The name Charlotte is a feminized form of Charles, and it has been in use since the Middle Ages.
The name Charlotte first became popular among the nobility in France during the 14th century. It was the name of several royal figures, including Charlotte of Saxe-Meiningen, who was a queen consort of Wurttemberg, and Charlotte of Cyprus, who was a princess of the House of Lusignan.
In English-speaking countries, the name Charlotte began to gain popularity in the 18th century. It was the name of several British queens and princesses, including Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who was the wife of King George III, and Princess Charlotte of Wales, who was the only child of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer.
Today, Charlotte is a popular given name for girls in many countries around the world. It has been among the top 100 names for girls in the United States since the 1970s, and it was the fifth most popular girl's name in England and Wales in 2018. The name Charlotte is often associated with elegance, sophistication, and charm, but its meaning and history are what make it truly special.
The name Charlotte has been a consistent choice for parents in the United States over several decades, with its popularity fluctuating slightly year by year.
From 1940 to 1962, there were five births each year bearing the name Charlotte. This consistency suggests that the name was already well-established and liked during this period. In fact, from 1940 to 1983, there were a total of 38 babies named Charlotte in the United States.
However, there were two years where the number of births with the name Charlotte rose above five: seven births in 1950 and six births in 1970. This slight increase might indicate that those years had something special about them that made Charlotte particularly appealing to parents.
Overall, these statistics show that the name Charlotte has been a steady choice among American parents for nearly four decades. Despite its fluctuating popularity, it remains a timeless and enduring favorite.