Charlotte - Girl's Name Meaning, Origin, And Popularity - BabyCenter

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  1. Baby Names
Charlotte/SHAR-lət/

At a glance

Origin: FrenchUS Popularity: #4Meaning: Freeadd to my favorite names listSave to listSee saved namesRebekah WahlbergFact-checked by Rebekah WahlbergOlivia ChristensenWritten by Olivia ChristensenUpdated on Feb 2, 2026In this article
  • Charlotte name meaning and origin
  • Charlotte name popularity
  • Popularity over time
  • Charlotte in pop culture
  • Famous people named Charlotte
  • Names similar to Charlotte
  • Baby name lists including Charlotte

Charlotte name meaning and origin

Charlotte is an antique name with a royal history – and it's having quite a comeback. The name is of French origin and is the feminine form of Charles, meaning "free man."

Since Charles was a favorite among royal boys, Charlotte became a popular name for queens, princesses, and duchesses. Charlotte of Bourbon, born in 1388 to a French count, went on to become the queen of Cyprus and Armenia, and is one of the earliest known Charlottes.

Charlotte is a charming name with several equally adorable nickname options that include Lottie, Lotta, and the gender-neutral favorite Charlie. In this way, Charlotte's recent popularity illustrates a couple of baby-naming trends: gender-neutral names and vintage names.

Charlotte also has literary associations thanks to renowned 19th-century novelist Charlotte Brontё and beloved children's classic Charlotte's Web. Names with these kinds of literary associations are also having a moment with 21st century parents. Olivia (from Shakespeare) and Harper (after To Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee) have both joined Charlotte in the top 10 baby girl names, and the Dickensian Oliver has spent time in the top 10 boy names.

While "free man" feels like an unfairly masculine meaning for a feminine name like Charlotte, the idea of freedom and independence is an objectively positive characteristic to influence a child's life. And Charlotte's alternate meaning, "petite," feels like a whimsical reminder of the name's French origins.

As the fourth most popular baby name in the United States in 2020 (according to the Social Security Administration), this 14th-century name is enjoying the most popularity it's had in at least 100 years. It's been one of the 500 most popular baby names since at least 1900, but has become more popular than ever in the past few decades, climbing from number 100 in 2007 all the way to the top five in 2020.

BabyCenter parents love the name Charlotte, too: It was the eighth most popular baby name in 2020. (BabyCenter's data is based on hundreds of thousands of parents who share their babies' names with us.)

Charlotte is a classic name with vintage appeal, and thanks to its gender-neutral nickname Charlie, it remains as evergreen today as it has for the last 700 years. Charlotte has proven its staying power and will doubtless remain a beloved name for years to come.

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Popularity over time

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Charlotte in pop culture

Charlotte A. Cavatica Spider in the 1952 children's book Charlotte's Web by E.B. White Charlotte Doyle Character in the children's book The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi Charlotte Heywood Character in the Jane Austen novel Sanditon Charlotte DiLaurentis Character in the TV show Pretty Little Liars, played by Vanessa Ray Charlotte La Bouff Character in the Disney movie The Princess and the Frog, voiced by Jennifer Cody Charlotte Pickles Character in the animated TV show Rugrats, voiced by Tress MacNeille Charlotte York Character in the HBO TV show Sex and the City, played by Kristin Davis Charlotte 2017 horror movie Advertisement | page continues below

Famous people named Charlotte

Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz Queen of Great Britain and Ireland and wife of King George III, who reigned from 1760-1820 Charlotte Emma Aitchison British musician known as Charli XCX Charlotte Brontё English author known for Jane Eyre Charlotte "Lottie" Dodd English athlete; youngest woman to win the Wimbledon Ladies' Singles Championship in tennis Charlotte Forten Grimké American anti-slavery activist Charlotte Perkins Gilman American writer known for her short story "The Yellow Wallpaper" Charlotte Ray First African-American woman to become a lawyer

Names similar to Charlotte

Like Charlotte? What about:

Ameliaadd to my favorite names listScarlettadd to my favorite names listOliviaadd to my favorite names listHarperadd to my favorite names listEmmaadd to my favorite names listEvelynadd to my favorite names listVioletadd to my favorite names listGraceadd to my favorite names listIsabellaadd to my favorite names listAvaadd to my favorite names listHazeladd to my favorite names listChloeadd to my favorite names list

Common sibling names

Brothers

Jackadd to my favorite names listOliveradd to my favorite names list

Baby name lists including Charlotte

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  • Top baby girl names that start with C

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    By Lucy Robinsonbaby in swaddle

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  • Designer-inspired baby names that are bold, timeless, and totally wearable

    By Blake BakkilaA focused woman pinning fabric on a dress form, wearing a measuring tape around her neck, working on garment design.

  • 100 powerful girl names inspired by history-making American women

    By Blake BakkilaA collage of several history-making American women, including (clockwise from left) Shirley Chisholm, Amelia Earhart, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Ellen Ochoa, and Serena Williams
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