"generous love, benevolence"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Charity
Pronunciation: [ ch-EHR-iht-ee ]
Does Charity flow with your last name?
A Puritan virtue name meaning divine generous love
English
Christian
American
Classic
Spiritual
Gentle
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"dearness, preciousness"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
"selfless love (agape)"
Origin: Christian theology
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Can be associated with 'charity case' implying poverty or pity
The Story of Charity
Charity comes from the Latin 'caritas,' meaning 'dearness, esteem, love' — the same root as 'care.' In Christian theology, caritas refers to the highest form of love: selfless, divine love for God and neighbor. It was translated into English as 'charity' and adopted as a virtue name by Puritans in the 17th century.
Charity was popular in Puritan and early American naming culture, when parents chose virtue names to express religious values. It peaked in the 19th century and has gradually declined, though it retains a warmth in devout Christian communities.
In Christian tradition, Charity (alongside Faith and Hope) represents one of the three theological virtues. The name carries profound religious meaning and was among the Puritans' most beloved virtue names, along with Prudence, Patience, and Temperance.
Historical Record
Charity first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 32,208 babies have been named Charity in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Charity is past its peak , currently ranked #2,037 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Charity, Faith, and Hope are the three theological virtues in Christianity, all popular as girls' names in Puritan America
- The name Caridad is a common girls' name in Spanish-speaking Catholic countries, especially Cuba and Spain
Charity in Other Languages
Latin
Caritas
French
Charité
Italian
Carità
Spanish
Caridad
Portuguese
Caridade
Popularity Over Time
#2,037
Current Rank
Peaked 1975
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Charity
C
Charity Barnum
Other
1808
Wife of circus impresario P.T. Barnum and central character in the musical The Greatest Showman
C
Charity Dingle Fictional
Other
Long-running character in the British soap opera Emmerdale, known for her sharp wit and troubled past
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,037
- Total SSA Count
- 95
- Cultural Origins
- English Christian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Char
Cherry
Cher
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Charity
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Charity is also used as a boy name, ranked #27675.
View Charity as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Charity
What does the name Charity mean?
"generous love, benevolence" (from Latin). "dearness, preciousness" (from Latin). "selfless love (agape)" (from Christian theology). Charity comes from the Latin 'caritas,' meaning 'dearness, esteem, love' — the same root as 'care.' In Christian theology, caritas refers to the highest form of love: selfless, divine love for God and neighbor. It was translated into English as 'charity' and adopted as a virtue name by Puritans in the 17th century.
What is the origin of the name Charity?
Charity has Latin, Christian theology, English, Christian, and American origins. In Latin, it means "generous love, benevolence". In Latin, it means "dearness, preciousness". In Christian theology, it means "selfless love (agape)".
Is Charity a boy or girl name?
Charity is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2037. As a boy name, it is ranked #27675. Charity is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Charity?
Charity is pronounced ch-EHR-iht-ee.
How popular is the name Charity?
Charity is currently ranked #2037 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Charity?
Common nicknames for Charity include Char, Cherry, and Cher.
What are good middle names for Charity?
Popular middle name pairings include Charity Hope, Charity Faith, Charity Grace, Charity Anne, Charity Joy, and Charity Elizabeth.
What are good sibling names for Charity?
Names that pair well with Charity as siblings include Faith, Hope, Grace, Prudence, Honor, and Clement.
How many syllables does Charity have?
Charity has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Charity a common or rare name?
Charity is an uncommon name, ranked #2037 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Charity?
About the Name Charity
Charity is a girl name with English, Christian, and American origins . The name means "generous love, benevolence" in Latin .
Is Charity a boy or girl name? Charity is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,037 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #27,675. Charity is more commonly used as a girl name.
Charity is currently ranked #2,037 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Charity has 3 syllables and is pronounced ch-EHR-iht-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Charity include Char, Cherry, and Cher. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Charity include Charlotte, Charlie, Charlee, Charli, Charley . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis