Charlotte Name Meaning
Learn more about the meaning, origin, and popularity of the name Charlotte.
Fact checked by Sarah ScottFact checked by Sarah Scott
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:
Carla
Carlotta
Carli/Carlie/Carly
Carol/Carole
Caroline/Carolyn
Charlene/Charline
Charli/Charlie/Charlee/Charley
Charlize
Karla
Karlee
Karolina
Similar Names
More French-derived names for girls include:
Amélie
Antoinette
Bridgette
Camille
Dominique
Henriette
Juliette
Lisette
Margot
Simone
Violette
Yvette
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:
Char
Charley
Lola
Lotta
Lotte
Lottie
Related: Nicknames for Girls That Are Cute Yet Classic
Suggested Sibling Names
Some potential sibling names for Charlotte are:
Abigail
Ava
Emma
Henry
Jack
Luke
Michael
Noah
Olivia
Sebastian
Walter
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 III
Charlotte, Princess Royal (1766–1828), queen consort of Württemberg, wife of King Frederick I, eldest daughter of King George III
Princess Charlotte of Wales (1796–1817), daughter of King George IV, wife of Leopold I of the Belgians
Princess Charlotte of Prussia (1798–1860), empress consort of Nicholas I
Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, daughter of Prince William, currently third in the line of succession to the British throne
Other Famous Charlottes
Charlotte Bront? (1816–1855), English novelist and the eldest of the three Bront? sisters and author of Jane Eyre
Charlotte Irene Caffey, American rock musician and songwriter known as the guitarist for the rock band the Go-Go’s
Charlotte Church, Welsh singer, actress, and TV personality, known as the host of The Charlotte Church Show
Charlotte Cooper (1870–1966), English tennis player known as a five-time Wimbledon winner and Olympic tennis champion
Charlotte Corday (1768–1793), French revolutionary and assassin
Charlotte Forten Grimké (1837–1914), American anti-slavery activist and educator
Charlotte Gainsbourg, English-French singer and actress known for her roles in such films as 21 Grams, I’m Not There, and Nymphomaniac
Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860–1935), American author and feminist, known for her short story The Yellow Wallpaper
Charlotte 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 Life
Charlotte 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:
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