Charlotte

Pronunciation: [ sh-AHRL-uht ]

Girl Name #4 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

Royal elegance with a touch of literary genius

French English German

Royal Classic Elegant Traditional

Meaning & Origin

"free woman"

Origin: French

Language: English

"petite, strong"

Origin: Germanic

Language: English

"free woman"

Origin: Germanic

Language: French

"petite, feminine"

Origin: French diminutive suffix

Language: French

The Story of Charlotte

Charlotte is the French feminine diminutive of Charles, which derives from the Germanic 'karl' meaning free man. It spread across Europe via French royal influence, borne notably by Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (wife of King George III of Britain), who played a significant role in popularizing it in the English-speaking world in the 18th century.

Charlotte has been in the US top 5 since 2014, buoyed by its royal associations — Princess Charlotte of Wales, born 2015 to Prince William and Kate Middleton, gave it a significant boost. Its combination of classic gravitas and the playful nickname Charlie makes it highly appealing.

Charlotte Bronte, author of Jane Eyre, is one of the most celebrated novelists in English literature, giving the name lasting intellectual prestige. In the royal families of Britain and Europe, Charlotte has been used for queens and princesses for centuries.

Fun Facts

Princess Charlotte of Wales, born 2015, made this name surge in popularity worldwide
Charlotte Bronte published Jane Eyre (1847) under the pseudonym Currer Bell to avoid gender discrimination
Charlotte has been in the US top 5 every year since 2014

Charlotte in Other Languages

French Charlotte

German Charlotta

Italian Carlotta

Spanish Carlota

Swedish Charlotta

Famous People Named Charlotte

Princess Charlotte of Wales

Royalty

2015

Second child and only daughter of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales

Charlotte Church

Musician

1986

Welsh classical-crossover singer who rose to fame as a child prodigy

Charlotte Bronte

Writer

1816

English author of Jane Eyre, one of the greatest novels in English literature

Charlotte York Fictional

Other

Optimistic romantic protagonist from HBO's Sex and the City

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #4
Total SSA Count: 12,552
Cultural Origins: French English German
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Charlie #140 Charlee #398 Charli #524 Charley #729 Charleigh #763 Charm #1707 Charlene #1751 Charity #2037

Common Nicknames

Charlie Lotte Char Lottie

Pairs Well With

Charlotte Rose Charlotte Grace Charlotte Anne Charlotte Elizabeth Charlotte Mae Charlotte Jane Charlotte Marie

Sibling Names

Oliver Henry James Olivia Emma Sophia William

Also a Boy Name

Charlotte is also used as a boy name, ranked #7255.

View Charlotte as a boy name →

Similar Names

Carolyn Carolina Carlotta Emaline Carlota Arlene Jacqueline Darlene

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Charlotte

What does the name Charlotte mean?

"free woman" (from French). "petite, strong" (from Germanic). "free woman" (from Germanic). "petite, feminine" (from French diminutive suffix). Charlotte is the French feminine diminutive of Charles, which derives from the Germanic 'karl' meaning free man. It spread across Europe via French royal influence, borne notably by Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (wife of King George III of Britain), who played a significant role in popularizing it in the English-speaking world in the 18th century.

What is the origin of the name Charlotte?

Charlotte has French, Germanic, French diminutive suffix, English, and German origins. In French, it means "free woman". In Germanic, it means "petite, strong". In Germanic, it means "free woman". In French diminutive suffix, it means "petite, feminine".

Is Charlotte a boy or girl name?

Charlotte is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #4. As a boy name, it is ranked #7255. Charlotte is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Charlotte?

Charlotte is pronounced sh-AHRL-uht.

How popular is the name Charlotte?

Charlotte is currently ranked #4 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Charlotte?

Common nicknames for Charlotte include Charlie, Lotte, Char, and Lottie.

What are good middle names for Charlotte?

Popular middle name pairings include Charlotte Rose, Charlotte Grace, Charlotte Anne, Charlotte Elizabeth, Charlotte Mae, Charlotte Jane, and Charlotte Marie.

What are good sibling names for Charlotte?

Names that pair well with Charlotte as siblings include Oliver, Henry, James, Olivia, Emma, Sophia, and William.

How many syllables does Charlotte have?

Charlotte has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Charlotte a common or rare name?

Charlotte is a very popular name, ranked #4 among girl names in the United States.

About the Name Charlotte

Charlotte is a girl name with French, English, and German origins . The name means "free woman" in French .

Is Charlotte a boy or girl name? Charlotte is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #4 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #7,255. Charlotte is more commonly used as a girl name.