A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Charley since 1880
Babies named Charley per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Charley's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 2,550 |
| 1890s | 0 | 1,755 |
| 1900s | 12 | 1,633 |
| 1910s | 79 | 3,530 |
| 1920s | 153 | 3,984 |
| 1930s | 131 | 2,423 |
| 1940s | 102 | 1,852 |
| 1950s | 52 | 1,414 |
| 1960s | 11 | 1,021 |
| 1970s | 75 | 727 |
| 1980s | 388 | 625 |
| 1990s | 655 | 440 |
| 2000s | 1,728 | 631 |
| 2010s | 5,369 | 865 |
| 2020s | 2,592 | 524 |
Meaning & origin
Once a common nickname for Charles, Charley saw its peak use in 1880, the earliest year of U.S. Social Security data, when it ranked 1826. After a long decline, the name has been rising again since 1998, reflecting a broader revival of vintage names. In 2025, it is given to about 1 in 19,633 newborns, with notable popularity in Louisiana, Florida, and New York. While traditionally masculine, Charley is now predominantly used for girls, following the trend of -ie and -y endings for feminine names. The name's association with freedom (from its Germanic root) and its friendly, approachable sound have contributed to its enduring charm.
Charley originated as a pet form of Charles, which comes from the Germanic element karl meaning 'free man'. In medieval England, Charles was a common name among nobility, and its diminutive forms like Charley were used affectionately. The name has been used as both a given name and a surname, with the spelling Charley being a less common variant of Charlie, which gained popularity in the 19th century.
Where Charley is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Charley” around the world
Where Charley lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Chaz, Chuck, Charlie
Sibling names for Charley
Names that share Charley's style, for a brother or sister.
