Charles vs David

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Charles

Boy #51 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"free man"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English French German Spanish Italian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#51
Total SSA Count
5,593
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Charlie, Chuck, Chaz

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Charles →

David

Boy #31 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"beloved, dear"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Hebrew English Spanish French Scottish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#31
Total SSA Count
7,317
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Dave, Davie, Davo

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for David →

Popularity Comparison

Charles Rank #51
David Rank #31

David is more popular, ranked #31 vs #51 for Charles.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Charles ___

  • Charles James
  • Charles William
  • Charles Edward
  • Charles Henry
  • Charles Robert
  • Charles Thomas

David ___

  • David James
  • David Michael
  • David Robert
  • David Thomas
  • David Andrew
  • David John

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Charles

George Henry Edward Alice Eleanor

If you choose David

Jonathan Hannah Samuel Rachel Benjamin

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charles or David more popular?

David is more popular, ranked #31 compared to Charles at #51 in the United States.

What do Charles and David mean?

Charles means "free man" (Germanic origin). David means "beloved, dear" (Hebrew origin).

Are Charles and David boy or girl names?

Charles is primarily a boy name. David is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Charles ← Full profile: David Browse all baby names