name
Charles
chahlz
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.
"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
Word Forms
Charleses plural
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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."