"settlement of free men"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Charleston
Pronunciation: [ ch-AHRLST-uhn ]
Does Charleston flow with your last name?
A historic Southern city becomes a bold girl's name
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English
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Charleston
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Meaning & Origin
"Charles's town"
Origin: English
Language: English
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The Story of Charleston
Charleston is an English place name meaning settlement of the free men or Charles's town, from Old English ceorl (free man) plus tun (settlement). The city of Charleston, South Carolina was named after King Charles II in 1670. As a given name for girls, Charleston follows the trend of using place names and traditionally masculine names for girls, joining names like Georgia, Savannah, and Sidney.
Charleston has emerged as a given name for girls in the 2010s, riding several converging trends: the popularity of place names, the trend toward traditionally masculine names for girls, and the popularity of the nickname Charlie for girls. It remains very rare as a girl's name, offering maximum individuality.
Charleston, South Carolina holds a complex place in American history—it was the site of Fort Sumter where the Civil War began, one of the main ports of entry for enslaved Africans, and also a center of remarkable architecture and culture.
Historical Record
Charleston first appeared in US Social Security records in 1997.
Over 1,257 babies have been named Charleston in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Charleston is past its peak , currently ranked #3,412 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Charleston dance of the 1920s was named after Charleston, SC, and became one of the most iconic dances of the Jazz Age
- Charleston, WV and Charleston, SC are the only two US state capital cities that share the same name
Charleston in Other Languages
French
Charleston
Spanish
Charleston
Popularity Over Time
#3,412
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 2015
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Charleston
C
Charleston White
Entertainer
American YouTuber and public speaker known for commentary on social issues
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Compare Charleston with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #3,412
- Total SSA Count
- 46
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Charlie
Charli
Charly
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Charleston
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Charleston is also used as a boy name, ranked #2826.
View Charleston as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (American)
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symbolic/cultural origin
"lively, spirited"
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Aralyn
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Hebrew/Armenian origin
"eagle, noble one"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Charleston
What does the name Charleston mean?
"settlement of free men" (from Old English). "Charles's town" (from English). Charleston is an English place name meaning settlement of the free men or Charles's town, from Old English ceorl (free man) plus tun (settlement). The city of Charleston, South Carolina was named after King Charles II in 1670. As a given name for girls, Charleston follows the trend of using place names and traditionally masculine names for girls, joining names like Georgia, Savannah, and Sidney.
What is the origin of the name Charleston?
Charleston has Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "settlement of free men". In English, it means "Charles's town".
Is Charleston a boy or girl name?
Charleston is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3412. As a boy name, it is ranked #2826. Charleston is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Charleston?
Charleston is pronounced ch-AHRLST-uhn.
How popular is the name Charleston?
Charleston is currently ranked #3412 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Charleston?
Common nicknames for Charleston include Charlie, Charli, and Charly.
What are good middle names for Charleston?
Popular middle name pairings include Charleston Grace, Charleston Rose, Charleston Mae, Charleston Ann, Charleston Elizabeth, and Charleston Jane.
What are good sibling names for Charleston?
Names that pair well with Charleston as siblings include Savannah, Georgia, Charlotte, Harrison, Lincoln, and Mason.
How many syllables does Charleston have?
Charleston has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Charleston a common or rare name?
Charleston is an uncommon name, ranked #3412 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Charleston?
About the Name Charleston
Charleston is a girl name with American and English origins . The name means "settlement of free men" in Old English .
Is Charleston a boy or girl name? Charleston is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,412 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #2,826. Charleston is more commonly used as a boy name.
Charleston is currently ranked #3,412 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Charleston has 3 syllables and is pronounced ch-AHRLST-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Charleston include Charlie, Charli, and Charly. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Charleston 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