Holding steady.
Popularity of Chari since 1941
Babies named Chari per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1960, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Chari's real moment was 1971.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 75 |
| 1950s | 224 |
| 1960s | 315 |
| 1970s | 240 |
| 1980s | 216 |
| 1990s | 78 |
| 2000s | 21 |
| 2010s | 24 |
| 2020s | 9 |
Meaning & origin
The name Chari first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1941 but has never entered the top 1000, remaining a very rare choice. Its peak year of usage was 1971, after which it declined slightly but has remained consistently rare, with a stable trajectory in recent decades. As a diminutive of Charlotte, Chari shares the elegant French heritage of its parent name while offering a shorter, more casual alternative. It is occasionally used as a nickname for Charles as well, but predominantly for girls. Without any states reporting notable usage, Chari remains a truly uncommon name, perhaps appealing to parents seeking a familiar-sounding yet distinctive choice.
Chari is typically a diminutive of Charlotte, the French feminine form of Charles, ultimately from Germanic *karlaz meaning 'free man'. It emerged in English-speaking countries as a nickname and later as a standalone name, particularly in the mid-20th century.
Sibling names for Chari
Names that share Chari's style, for a brother or sister.
