Declining since 2020, #417 for girls today.
Popularity of Charlee since 1914
Babies named Charlee per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 5 |
| 1930s | 22 |
| 1940s | 86 |
| 1950s | 107 |
| 1960s | 55 |
| 1970s | 178 |
| 1980s | 447 |
| 1990s | 749 |
| 2000s | 2,177 |
| 2010s | 9,824 |
| 2020s | 5,613 |
Meaning & origin
Charlee first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1914, but remained rare for most of the 20th century. It saw a surge in the 2010s, peaking in 2020 at rank 417, before beginning a modest decline. Currently, about 1 in every 2,143 newborn girls is named Charlee. The name is most popular in Alaska, West Virginia, and Montana. Its rise reflects broader trends toward phonetic spellings of traditional names, blending familiarity with a fresh twist. While still less common than the standard Charlie, Charlee has carved out its own identity as a distinctively feminine choice.
Charlee is a modern phonetic respelling of Charlie, itself a diminutive of Charles. Charles derives from the Germanic name Karl, meaning 'free man'. The spelling 'Charlee' emerged in the late 20th century as part of a trend of alternate spellings for traditional names, gaining popularity in the 2010s.
Where Charlee is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Char, Lee, Charlie
Sibling names for Charlee
Names that share Charlee's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Charlee
Names whose popularity has moved with Charlee's over the last 50 years.
