"settlement of free men"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Charleston
Pronunciation: [ ch-AHRLST-uhn ]
Girl Name
#3,412 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
3 Syllables
A historic Southern city becomes a bold girl's name
American
English
Bold
Vintage
Strong
Unique
Sophisticated
Meaning & Origin
"Charles's town"
Origin: English
Language: English
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.
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
Famous People Named Charleston
C
Charleston White
Entertainer
American YouTuber and public speaker known for commentary on social issues
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
Pairs Well With
Charleston Grace
Charleston Rose
Charleston Mae
Charleston Ann
Charleston Elizabeth
Charleston Jane
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Charleston is also used as a boy name, ranked #2826.
View Charleston as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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.
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.