Charles

The word “Charles” means a male given name meaning "free man," one of the most enduring names in the English-speaking world. In plain terms, a classic male first name, also used as a surname.

“Charles” is pronounced chahlz (/t͡ʃɑɹlz/ in IPA).

Here is “Charles” used in a sentence: “Charles has been a popular name for European kings for centuries.”

Words with a similar meaning to “Charles” include Chas..

“Charles” is a name.

The word “Charles” comes from Old French. From Old French Charles, ultimately from Frankish and Old High German Karl, from a Proto-Germanic word meaning "free man" — the same root as "churl.".

“Charles” is a very common word in modern English.

“Charles” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a male given name meaning "free man," one of the most enduring names in the English-speaking world.

Charles means "free man." It comes from the Germanic name Karl, and spread across Europe partly through the fame of Charlemagne, or "Charles the Great." The name has been carried by kings, emperors, and, most recently, King Charles III, which has kept it in constant use for well over a thousand years.

The most common short forms are Charlie and Chuck, the latter especially popular in the United States. Older or less frequent nicknames include Chas and Chip. In other languages the name appears as Carlos in Spanish, Carlo in Italian, Karl in German, and Charles pronounced "sharl" in French.

Very much so. It has been borne by kings of England, France, Spain, and Sweden, among others. In Britain, King Charles III took the throne in 2022, following Charles I and Charles II centuries earlier. This long royal association gives the name a traditional, dignified reputation.

The closest female forms are Charlotte, Caroline, and Charlene, all sharing the same root meaning "free." Charlotte is the most popular today, while Carla and Carol are also related. Each works as a feminine counterpart to Charles or to its variant Carl.