Home › Baby Names Directory › Charleston
Charleston
Charleston Pronunciation
Charleston is pronounced CHARL-stən /ˈtʃɑrl.stən/High
Meaning: Charles's town — from the city named for King Charles II of England; also the 1920s dance the city namedHigh
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
Charleston is 'Charles's town' — Charleston, South Carolina, was founded in 1670 as Charles Town for King Charles II, and Charles itself descends from Germanic karl, 'free man'. The city's name then christened the kicking, swiveling dance that defined the Roaring Twenties.
As a girls' name it is a twenty-first-century arrival in the Southern place-name tradition of Savannah and Georgia, with the bonus built-in nickname Charlie. U.S. usage is rare and slightly more often female than male in recent years.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- Famous bearers coming soon.
If you like Charleston…
→ See all names like Charleston
Browse the whole category: All English names → · All American names → · All origins →
Frequently Asked
How do you pronounce Charleston?
Charleston is pronounced CHARL-stən (/ˈtʃɑrl.stən/). Press play above to hear Charleston said aloud.
How do you say Charleston?
Charleston is said CHARL-stən (/ˈtʃɑrl.stən/). Press play above to hear Charleston said aloud.
What does the name Charleston mean?
Charleston means 'Charles's town', from the South Carolina city named for King Charles II; it also names the famous 1920s dance.
Is Charleston a boy or girl name?
Charleston is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.
How popular is Charleston?
Charleston is a rare place name pick in the U.S.