Charlotte is a charming and elegant name of French origin. It is derived from the feminine form of the male name Charles, which itself comes from the Germanic word "karl," meaning "free man" or "strong." Therefore, Charlotte means "free man's power" or "strong woman."
The name Charlotte first appeared in France during the Middle Ages and was initially a diminutive of the male name Charles. However, it wasn't until the 17th century that Charlotte began to be used as an independent given name for girls.
One notable historical figure who popularized the name Charlotte was Charlotte of Bourbon, Princess of Condé (1654-1718). She was known for her beauty and intelligence, and her name became quite fashionable among French nobility during her lifetime.
In English-speaking countries, Charlotte started to gain popularity in the 19th century. It was introduced by Queen Charlotte, the German-born wife of King George III of Great Britain. The queen's influence helped to popularize the name Charlotte among the British aristocracy and subsequently among the general population.
Today, Charlotte is ranked as one of the most popular names for girls in various English-speaking countries such as England, Wales, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Its enduring appeal can be attributed to its timeless elegance, sweet sound, and strong historical roots.
The name Charlotte has a long and varied history of popularity in the United States, with fluctuations in usage over the years. From the early 20th century to the present day, there have been periods where the name was more commonly chosen for newborn girls.
In the early 1900s, the name Charlotte was given to around 5-6 babies each year, with a slight increase to 11 births in 1917. This trend continued into the 1920s and 1930s, with the number of annual births ranging from 5 to 18.
The post-World War II era saw a decline in popularity for the name Charlotte, with fewer than 10 births per year between 1947 and 1962. However, there were some spikes during this period, such as 24 births in 1942 and 23 births in 1943.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the name Charlotte experienced a brief resurgence, with around 7-13 babies named Charlotte each year. This trend continued into the 1970s and 1980s, with fluctuations in popularity, reaching as high as 9 births per year in some years.
The late 20th century saw another decline in the usage of the name Charlotte, with fewer than 5 births per year between 1990 and 2004. However, since then, there has been a notable increase in popularity for the name.
From 2005 onwards, the number of babies named Charlotte has steadily risen, with double-digit figures recorded each year from 2013 to present day. In fact, in recent years, Charlotte has been among the top 10 most popular girl names in the United States, with a total of 750 births since records began.
This data demonstrates that while Charlotte has not consistently been one of the most popular girls' names in the US, it has enjoyed periods of high popularity throughout history and continues to be a beloved choice for parents today.