name
Very common
Charles
chahlz
Charles (name) means a male given name meaning "free man," one of the most enduring names in the English-speaking world. Example: “Charles has been a popular name for European kings for centuries.”
name
1
A male given name meaning "free man," one of the most enduring names in the English-speaking world.
"Charles has been a popular name for European kings for centuries."
2
A surname derived from the given name.
"That the Koch organization can even attempt this pivot to a less political and more bipartisan stance speaks to the power of what Charles and David Koch built."
— Chris Cillizza, How the Koch brothers fundamentally changed modern politics (2019)
"The Charles family has lived in this town for three generations."
How to use Charles
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA classic male first name, also used as a surname.
Common pairings
King Charles
Prince Charles
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Word forms
- Plural
- Charleses
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_____ has been a popular name for European kings for centuries.
Etymology
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."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “Charles” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “Charles”?
“Charles” is pronounced chahlz (/t͡ʃɑɹlz/ in IPA).
How do you use “Charles” in a sentence?
Here is “Charles” used in a sentence: “Charles has been a popular name for European kings for centuries.”
What is another word for “Charles”?
Words with a similar meaning to “Charles” include Chas..
What part of speech is “Charles”?
“Charles” is a name.
Where does the word “Charles” come from?
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.".
Is “Charles” a common word?
“Charles” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Charles” have?
“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.
What does the name Charles mean?
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.
What are the nicknames for Charles?
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.
Is Charles a royal name?
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.
What is the female version of Charles?
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.
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