Baby Names Girl Names Charlotte Name Meaning Learn more about the meaning, origin, and popularity of the name Charlotte. By Wendy Wisner Updated on May 28, 2024 Fact checked by Sarah Scott In This Article View All In This Article How Popular Is the Name Charlotte? Name Variations Similar Names Common Nicknames for Charlotte Suggested Sibling Names Famous People Named Charlotte Close Are you looking for a classic, traditional name that has recently surged in popularity? You may want to consider the name Charlotte. Charlotte and its masculine equivalent, Charles, are derived from the Old English word ceorl, meaning “free man.” The word was used to distinguish a free person from a bondsman or enslaved person (thew) and a noble person (eorl). Origin: Charles is the French spelling of the Germanic name Carl (or Karl). Charlot originated as a nickname for Charles, with Charlotte being the feminine form. Gender: Charlotte is the feminine form of the name. Charlot or Charles would be the masculine equivalent. Pronunciation: SHAR-lot or SHAR-lit Editor's Note Although baby names are often separated by gender, Parents believes sex need not play any role in your name selection process. It’s important to select the name that you feel best suits your new baby. How Popular Is the Name Charlotte? Charlotte was a very popular name for girls in the US in the first half of the 20th century, ranking among the top 100 between 1908 and 1953. The name peaked at No. 50 in the year 1944. It was already waning in 1952 when E.B. White used it in the classic children’s novel Charlotte’s Web. Since then, the name has enjoyed a new surge in popularity. Charlotte rejoined the top 100 in 2008 and kept on rising, reaching the top 50 in 2010. In 2012, the name reached the top 20 for the first time. Charlotte broke into the top 10 in 2014, and in 2023 Charlotte ranked as the No. 3 girl name in America. Name Variations The Charles/Charlotte family of names is broad and diverse. Such names as Carla, Charlie, Carlotta, Carol, Caroline, and Carrie all derive from the same source. Here are just a few of the most common variations: CarlaCarlottaCarli/Carlie/CarlyCarol/CaroleCaroline/CarolynCharlene/CharlineCharli/Charlie/Charlee/CharleyCharlizeKarlaKarleeKarolina Similar Names More French-derived names for girls include: AmélieAntoinetteBridgetteCamilleDominiqueHenrietteJulietteLisetteMargotSimoneVioletteYvette More names from children’s literature include: Alice (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland)Celeste (The Story of Babar)Dorothy (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz)Heidi (Heidi)Laura (Little House series)Matilda (Matilda)Lucy (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe)Ramona (Ramona series) Common Nicknames for Charlotte Nicknames for Charlotte include: CharCharleyLolaLottaLotteLottie 141 Nicknames for Girls That Are Cute Yet Classic Suggested Sibling Names Some potential sibling names for Charlotte are: AbigailAvaEmmaHenryJackLukeMichaelNoahOliviaSebastianWalter Famous People Named Charlotte The name Charlotte has been especially popular among royals. There have been many queens and princesses called Charlotte. Royal Charlottes Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744–1818), queen consort of England, wife of King George IIICharlotte, Princess Royal (1766–1828), queen consort of Württemberg, wife of King Frederick I, eldest daughter of King George IIIPrincess Charlotte of Wales (1796–1817), daughter of King George IV, wife of Leopold I of the BelgiansPrincess Charlotte of Prussia (1798–1860), empress consort of Nicholas IPrincess Charlotte of Cambridge, daughter of Prince William, currently third in the line of succession to the British throne Other Famous Charlottes Charlotte Brontë (1816–1855), English novelist and the eldest of the three Brontë sisters and author of Jane EyreCharlotte Irene Caffey, American rock musician and songwriter known as the guitarist for the rock band the Go-Go’sCharlotte Church, Welsh singer, actress, and TV personality, known as the host of The Charlotte Church ShowCharlotte Cooper (1870–1966), English tennis player known as a five-time Wimbledon winner and Olympic tennis championCharlotte Corday (1768–1793), French revolutionary and assassinCharlotte Forten Grimké (1837–1914), American anti-slavery activist and educatorCharlotte Gainsbourg, English-French singer and actress known for her roles in such films as 21 Grams, I’m Not There, and NymphomaniacCharlotte Perkins Gilman (1860–1935), American author and feminist, known for her short story The Yellow WallpaperCharlotte Rae (1926–2018), Emmy Award-nominated actress best known for her role as Edna Garrett in the TV shows Diff’rent Strokes and The Facts of LifeCharlotte Rampling, English actress known for her roles in such films as The Verdict, The Wings of the Dove, and the TV series Dexter More Baby Names Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options: Top 1,000 Baby Girl Names 53 Royal Baby Names How To Create a Unique Baby Name Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Popularity of a Name: Charlotte. Social Security Administration. 2024.