
Origin, Meaning, And History of Charlotte
Charlotte is a name with both English and French origins meaning “free man” or “petite.” It is the feminine variant of the popular masculine name Charlot, a diminutive of Charles derived from the ancient English word Ceorl meaning “free man,” dating back to the 14th century. If you want your baby girl to be adorned with a noble and royal name, Charlotte is the perfect fit.
Charlotte is a charming name that has a unique appeal. There are plenty of nicknames that can go well with the moniker, including Lotta, Lottie, and Char. The name Charlotte traces back to the 1300s, with several queens, princesses, and duchesses being given this name. King Charles II of England had two daughters named Charlotte of Savoy and Charlotte de Bourbon La-Marche, who later became the queens of Cyprus and Armenia.
Charlotte was quite a popular name in the US in the first half of the 20th century. The name had literary associations and has been an integral part of pop culture. Charlotte Heywood is the main protagonist in Jane Austen’s unfinished novel ‘Sanditon’ and the eldest daughter of the Heywood family.
Charlotte Drake is a fictional character in the American television series ‘Pretty Little Liars’ created by I. Marlene King. Charlotte Gray is the protagonist in the 1999 Scottish novel ‘Charlotte Gray’ by Sebastian Faulks.
Charlotte has been declared the eighth most popular baby name in 2020 and continues to be an all-time favorite girl’s name. The name is also a hit among millennial parents, who want to give a royal and timeless name to their little princesses.
Girl
Christianity
French, Germanic
3
Three
1 word, 9 letters, 3 vowels, 6 consonants
Long but moderately easy to pronounce
How To Pronounce Charlotte?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Charlotte in English.
Listen to the sound of the name Charlotte in German.
Famous People With The Name Charlotte
- Charlotte E.GrayAmerican author
- Charlotte BurtonAmerican actress
- Charlotte BronteEnglish novelist and poet
- Charlotte FlairAmerican wrestler
- Princess Charlotte of WalesDuchess of Wales, a member of the British royal family
- Charlotte Pritt American educator, businesswoman, and politician
Charlotte On The Popularity Chart
Charlotte has maintained an evergreen appeal for the past 700 years and is enjoying sky-high popularity since the 2000s. Find the graph below to know how it fares in the popularity chart.
Popularity Over Time
Charlotte was among the 500 most popular baby names since the 1900s, climbing to its peak in the 2000s. That year, the name was recorded 210,638 times in the Social Security Administration database. The graph shows how the moniker settled in people’s hearts over the years.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
Charlotte consistently maintained its rank among the top 100 baby names from 1908 to 1953 and entered the top five list in 2020. It enjoys the third rank worldwide, which is shown in the graph below.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Charlotte
Like the buzz of the name Charlotte but want to find a different name with some other meaning? Here are some options that might fit you.
Popular Sibling Names For Charlotte
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Charlotte, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Charlotte
Find matching brother names for Charlotte and create a wonderful team of siblings.
ChaeralathanGirl Sibling Names For Charlotte
Looking for some suitable sister names for Charlotte? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
CharilOther Popular Names Beginning With C
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter C to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With The Same Meaning As Charlotte
Looking for a regal-sounding girl’s name with the same meaning as Charlotte? We have listed some options below for you to consider.
Infographic: Know The Name Charlotte‘s Personality As Per Numerology

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
How To Communicate The Name Charlotte In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
charlotte
In Sign Language
charlotte
In Braille Alphabet
charlotte
In Morse Code
charlotte
Name Numerology For Charlotte



Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Charlotte a royal name?
Yes. Charlotte is a royal name and was used by regal families. Among the latest is Princess Charlotte of Wales from the British royal family.
2. How do you shorten Charlotte?
Some short forms or nicknames for Charlotte include Charlie, Lottie, Shar, Cherry, Carlie, and Harlie.
3. What does the name Charlotte mean in personality?
Charlotte is just a name that cannot determine an individual’s personality. However, the meaning of the name can be associated with traits such as confidence, elegance, and power.
4. What religion is the name Charlotte?
Charlotte has French origins but is not associated with any particular religion.
5. How do you say Charlotte in Irish?
In Irish, Charlotte is spelled Searlait and pronounced Shar-Lit.
6. Is Charlotte a rare name?
Charlotte is not a rare name. In fact, it has been a popular name for girls for many years. It consistently ranks among the top names in the US. According to the SSA, 12891 girls were named Charlotte in the US in 2022 (1).
7. What are some middle names that go well with Charlotte?
Charlotte is a French name that means ‘free’ or ‘petite.’ So, while selecting a middle name for Charlotte, you could consider names with similar meanings, such as Azita, Adva, or Saoirse. You could even explore names with French origins, such as Barbara, meaning ‘foreign,’ Blanche, meaning ‘white, fair-colored,’ or Cerise, meaning ‘cherry.’
8. Is Charlotte a traditional or modern baby name?
Charlotte, on one hand, has a long and esteemed history. The name’s association with royalty adds to its timeless appeal. On the other hand, it has experienced a recent resurgence in popularity (1), making it a sought-after name among parents. So, it is both traditional and modern.
References:
- Popularity of name Charlotte.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/ur.
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