Girl · 7th of 30,306
Charlotte
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
440,706
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2021
Peak Popularity Year
13,375
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Charlotte stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Charlotte is a name of French origin meaning 'free man', derived from the masculine name Charles. It evolved from the Germanic 'karl' to Charles in Old French, eventually becoming Charlotte. The name conveys traits of elegance and sophistication, has no biblical relevance, and has seen a rise in popularity since the 18th century, with many notable figures bearing the name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ʃɑːrˈlɒt/
Origin
French
Etymology
The name Charlotte is derived from the masculine name Charles, which comes from the Germanic word 'karl' meaning 'free man'. The name became popular in France and was feminized to Charlotte.
Meaning
free man
Language Evolution
Charles (Old French), Carl (Germanic), Charlotte (French)
Historical Usage
Charlotte gained popularity in the 18th century, particularly in France, and has since become a common name in many English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
Charlie, Lottie, Carlotta, Carlotta
Modern Popularity & Image
Charlotte is currently a very popular name in many countries and is often associated with elegance and sophistication.
Famous People
Charlotte Brontë, Queen Charlotte of the United Kingdom, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Charlotte Church
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Consistently Rising
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 13,375 peak births in 2021
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Hampshire
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3261st of 7545 | 103 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1925th of 6773 | 264 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2734th of 7552 | 171 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 5093rd of 10718 | 64 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 11776th of 16616 | 20 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 18784th of 24088 | 15 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 7476th of 23106 | 125 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 84th of 9107 | 56,880 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 62nd of 9204 | 70,474 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 117th of 12526 | 71,070 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 194th of 19264 | 24,184 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 297th of 27321 | 14,380 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 111th of 35406 | 46,489 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 7th of 30306 | 147,783 |