Charles vs Theodore

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 →

Popularity Comparison

Charles Rank #51
Theodore Rank #4

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 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

Theodore ___

  • Theodore James
  • Theodore William
  • Theodore Alexander
  • Theodore John
  • Theodore Henry
  • Theodore Arthur

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Charles

George Henry Edward Alice Eleanor

If you choose Theodore

Olivia Charlotte Amelia Eleanor Oliver

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 Theodore more popular?

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 compared to Charles at #51 in the United States.

What do Charles and Theodore mean?

Charles means "free man" (Germanic origin). Theodore means "divine gift" (Greek origin).

Are Charles and Theodore boy or girl names?

Charles is primarily a boy name. Theodore is primarily a boy name.

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