"grace, kindness, beauty"
Charis
An ancient Greek name meaning grace — the root of charisma
Meaning & Origin
"divine grace, favor"
The Story of Charis
Charis (Χάρις) is an ancient Greek name meaning grace, kindness, or beauty. In Greek mythology, the Charites (singular: Charis) were the three goddesses of grace, charm, and beauty — Aglaea, Euphrosyne, and Thalia — who personified the concept of joyful, graceful living. The name is the root of the English word 'charisma' and the Christian theological concept of 'grace' (charis in Greek New Testament).
Charis has been used in English-speaking Christian communities for centuries, valued for its New Testament resonance (the Greek word 'charis' appears hundreds of times in the New Testament, usually translated as 'grace'). It has remained consistently rare but beloved by parents seeking a name with deep classical and spiritual roots.
In the New Testament, 'charis' is one of the most theologically significant words, typically translated as 'grace' — God's freely given love and favor. This gives the name profound meaning for Christian families. In classical Greek religion, the Charites governed festivity, celebration, and all things beautiful and joyful.
Fun Facts
- The word 'charisma' comes directly from the Greek 'charis' meaning grace or divine gift
- In the New Testament, 'charis' (grace) appears over 150 times, making it one of the key theological concepts of early Christianity
- The Charites, Greek goddesses of grace, were believed to bring joy to both gods and humans on Mount Olympus
Charis in Other Languages
Famous People Named Charis
Charis Wilson
Other
1914
American model, muse, and partner of photographer Edward Weston; co-authored California and the West with him
The Charites Fictional
Other
In Greek mythology, the three goddesses of grace and beauty: Aglaea (splendor), Euphrosyne (joy), and Thalia (festivity)
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,890
- Total SSA Count
- 57
- Cultural Origins
- Greek English Christian
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Charis is also used as a boy name, ranked #6298.
View Charis as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Charis
What does the name Charis mean?
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Is Charis a boy or girl name?
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About the Name Charis
Charis is a girl name with Greek, English, and Christian origins . The name means "grace, kindness, beauty" in Ancient Greek .
Is Charis a boy or girl name? Charis is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,890 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #6,298. Charis is more commonly used as a girl name.
Charis is currently ranked #2,890 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Charis has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Charis include Chari and Ris. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Charis include Charlotte, Charlie, Charlee, Charli, Charley . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.