Charlotte: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced SHAR-lut · 2 syllables
Charlotte means “free (a feminine form of Charles)”, from French and Germanic.
From French Charlotte in the 17th century, a female diminutive form of Charles, from Middle High German Karl, which came from the Germanic *karlaz. The civil parish is named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818). Coined by British-Dutch surveyor Samuel Holland.
- Meaning
- free (a feminine form of Charles)
- Origin
- French, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- SHAR-lut
- US rank (2025)
- #2
- US babies a year
- about 13,003 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 2020
- Style
- Rising, Classic, Literary
- Nicknames
- Charlie, Lottie, Lettie
How popular is Charlotte?
Charlotte was the #2 name in the US in 2025, given to 13,408 babies. It’s rising: up 45% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 2020.
Most popular in Alaska (#1), Alabama (#1), Arkansas (#1), Colorado (#1), Connecticut (#1), Iowa (#1), Idaho (#1), Indiana (#1).
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #2 |
| England & Wales | #20 |
| Scotland | #12 |
| Northern Ireland | #12 |
| Ireland | #44 |
| France | #37 |
| Norway | #163 |
| Canada | #2 |
| Australia | #1 |
How old are people named Charlotte?
Half of US adults named Charlotte are older than 64; most are between 19 and 86. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Sibling names for Charlotte
Names that real brothers and sisters of people named Charlotte have, from family records on Wikidata, most common first.
Names like Charlotte
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
- Evelyn
- Alice
- Emma
- Eloise
- Rosalie
- Eleanor
- Ella
- Caroline
- Amelia
- Jane
- Adele
- Josephine
- Claire
- Clementine
- Genevieve
- Isabel
On these lists
- The most popular girl names in the US
- Classic girl names
- Rising girl names
- Literary girl names
- French girl names
- Germanic girl names
Questions about Charlotte
What does the name Charlotte mean?
Charlotte means “free (a feminine form of Charles)”. It comes from French and Germanic.
How do you pronounce Charlotte?
Charlotte is pronounced SHAR-lut.
How popular is the name Charlotte?
Charlotte was the #2 name in the US in 2025, given to 13,408 babies. It’s rising: up 45% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 2020.
How old are people named Charlotte?
Half of US adults named Charlotte are older than 64. Most are between 19 and 86.