Charles vs Jonathan

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 →

Jonathan

Boy #83 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"God has given"

Origin: Hebrew (Yehonatan)

Cultural Roots

English Hebrew American Spanish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#83
Total SSA Count
4,018
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Jon, Johnny, Jonny

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Jonathan →

Popularity Comparison

Charles Rank #51
Jonathan Rank #83

Charles is more popular, ranked #51 vs #83 for Jonathan.

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

Jonathan ___

  • Jonathan David
  • Jonathan Michael
  • Jonathan James
  • Jonathan Andrew
  • Jonathan Cole
  • Jonathan William

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Charles

George Henry Edward Alice Eleanor

If you choose Jonathan

David Matthew Nathaniel Elizabeth Abigail

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 Jonathan more popular?

Charles is more popular, ranked #51 compared to Jonathan at #83 in the United States.

What do Charles and Jonathan mean?

Charles means "free man" (Germanic origin). Jonathan means "God has given" (Hebrew (Yehonatan) origin).

Are Charles and Jonathan boy or girl names?

Charles is primarily a boy name. Jonathan is primarily a boy name.

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