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Charlotte

♀ Girl

Pronounced SHAR-luht /ˈʃɑːr.lət/High

Meaning: Free woman; feminine form of CharlesHigh

In 30 seconds: The French feminine form of Charles, meaning 'free woman.' A royal staple for centuries, Charlotte is a perennial top-five girls' name with timeless elegance.
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Origin HighFrench, Germanic
MeaningFree woman; feminine form of Charles
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 348,876

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201618802017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Charlotte is the French feminine diminutive of Charles, which derives from the Old High German Karl, meaning 'free man.' The -ette suffix added a sense of femininity and slight diminution. The name was introduced to England through French and German royal connections.

Queen Charlotte (1744–1818), wife of King George III, popularized the name in Britain, and the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, was named in her honor. The name flourished in the 19th century, dipped mid-20th century, then staged a major revival, consistently ranking in the U.S. top five since the 2010s.

Did you know? Charlotte Brontë, author of Jane Eyre (1847), and Queen Charlotte of the United Kingdom (1744–1818) are among the most celebrated bearers, helping keep the name in the cultural spotlight across two centuries.

Variations

CarlottaCharlottaLotteKaroline

Nicknames

CharlieLottieCharCarly

Famous Bearers

  • ★Charlotte Brontë (1816–1855)
    English novelist, author of Jane Eyre.
  • ★Princess Charlotte of Wales (2015–)
    British princess, daughter of King Charles III.
  • ★Charlotte Church (1986–)
    Welsh singer known for classical crossover recordings.

If you like Charlotte…

Olivia— shares the classic, regal three-syllable elegance
Eleanor— fellow long classic with royal pedigree
Sophia— equally refined and feminine classic
Amelia— shares the vintage revival and lyrical quality
Victoria— another name with strong royal associations

Frequently Asked

What does the name Charlotte mean?

Charlotte is the French feminine form of Charles, ultimately from Old High German meaning 'free man' — so Charlotte carries the sense of 'free woman.'

How do you pronounce Charlotte?

Charlotte is pronounced SHAR-luht /ˈʃɑːr.lət/ (two syllables).

Is Charlotte a boy or girl name?

Charlotte is exclusively used as a girl's name; the masculine equivalent is Charles or Charlie.

How popular is Charlotte?

Charlotte has ranked in the U.S. top five girls' names consistently since the mid-2010s and entered the top three in recent years.