A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Charlie since 1880
Babies named Charlie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1919, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Charlie's real moment was 1900.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 83 | 7,091 |
| 1890s | 184 | 7,261 |
| 1900s | 347 | 7,928 |
| 1910s | 1,138 | 19,834 |
| 1920s | 1,831 | 25,176 |
| 1930s | 1,491 | 19,154 |
| 1940s | 1,211 | 18,264 |
| 1950s | 773 | 15,282 |
| 1960s | 346 | 10,041 |
| 1970s | 380 | 6,365 |
| 1980s | 809 | 5,465 |
| 1990s | 1,216 | 4,913 |
| 2000s | 2,710 | 8,367 |
| 2010s | 14,519 | 16,490 |
| 2020s | 13,321 | 12,649 |
Meaning & origin
Charlie is a unisex name that has been in continuous use since at least 1880, the earliest year for which U.S. Social Security data is available. It reached its peak popularity in 1900, when it was the top-ranked name. After a period of decline, Charlie has been rising steadily since 1993, reflecting a broader trend toward friendly, vintage nickname-names for boys and girls alike. In 2025, it ranked 145th, with approximately 1 in 694 newborns receiving the name. Geographically, Charlie is most common in Vermont, Wyoming, and Alaska, suggesting regional preferences for traditional yet informal names. Its long history, straightforward meaning, and familiar sound have kept Charlie a steady favorite across generations.
Charlie originated as a diminutive of Charles, from the Germanic given name Karl meaning 'free man'. Charles was the name of Charlemagne (Charles the Great), the Frankish emperor, which helped spread the name across Europe. In English-speaking countries, Charlie became an independent given name in its own right by the 19th century, used for both boys and girls.
Where Charlie 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.
“Charlie” around the world
Where Charlie lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#20
in 2024
Ireland
#13
in 2025
New Zealand
#7
in 2025
Quebec
#9
in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#12
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Chuck, Chaz, Char
Sibling names for Charlie
Names that share Charlie's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Ellie, Frankie, Maisie, Rosie, Millie, Allie, Fannie, Ginger, Hattie, Josie, Lizzie, Lucy, Margie, Mattie, Nannie, Nellie, Penny, Sadie, Sammie, Sophie, Stevie, Winnie, Abbe, Abbi, Addie, Ammie, Andie, Betsy, Bonny, Carlie, Dodie, Dollie, Emmie, Franki, Georgie, Ginny, Harlow, Hollie, Kitty, Linnie, Maggie, Marcie, Mickie, Mollie, Nelly, Nettie, Pattie, Polly, Renesmee, Rosy, Ruthie, Sallie, Aggie, Arrie, Atlee, Bebe, Becki, Billi, Bunny, Cally, Chany, Cherri, Cherrie, Clemmie, Collie, Darcey, Daysi, Dot, Ettie, Flo, Francie, Gennie, Jacie, Jettie, Jozie, Kady, Kittie, Letty, Madie, Maisy, Maizie, Mammie, Martie, Mazie, Milly, Mitzy, Molli, Monnie, Pinkie, Pippa, Pollie, Queenie, Rosey, Roxy, Sudie, Suzie, Teddi, Teddie, Tilly, Tommi, Torie, Trixie, Brownie, Cadie, Chanie, Channie, Chari, Charle, Charlea, Chessie, Cissy, Colie, Cookie, Crissie, Danie, Deanie, Deisi, Dillie, Dorrie, Gradie, Hally, Hessie, Jaynie, Jinnie, Jocie, Jolly, Katye, Konnie, Landy, Littie, Lollie, Lutie, Madi, Maggy, Maisey, Masie, Matie, Matty, Mattye, Maysie, Meggie, Mintie, Mollee, Nanie, Nelli, Nollie, Paeton, Patsey, Pixie, Pollyanna, Rosi, Saddie, Samie, Sissy, Steffie, Susy, Tallie, Tinnie, Vannie, Alcie, Azzie, Betsie, Biddie, Blannie, Blondie, Bonnye, Bunnie, Calie, Charie, Climmie, Cornie, Daily, Dally, Ellsie, Eppie, Frankee, Frannie, Frenchie, Fronnie, Gabbie, Geni, Girtie, Hallee, Halli, Hendy, Hennie, Izzie, Jossie, Junnie, Libbi, Lilliemae, Luddie, Lyndie, Manie, Masey, Molley, Mollye, Pinky, Renesme, Sadee, Saidee, Sennie, Sharlie, Tilley, Venie, Vessie, Wessie, Anie, Bennye, Bessy, Blossie, Boots, Daisee, Daissy, Daisymae, Daysie, Dearie, Edee, Ellenie, Ezzie, Franny, Ibbie, Jimma, Johnye, Ketty, Lauralie, Lil, Lillymae, Maesie, Maicie, Maisee, Marny, Millee, Mimie, Minie, Nansi, Poppie, Radie, Remii, Rettie, Sady, Sibbie, Stephie, Swannie, Tabby, Tomma, Vincie, Viney, Vivie, Winni
Brothers: Jack, Max, Theo, Harry, Leo, Archie, Eddie, Fred, Freddie, Ollie, Tommy, Willie, Artie, Barney, Benny, Buddy, Buster, Eddy, Freddy, Fredie, Garfield, Lenny, Louie, Monty, Robbie, Robby, Robie, Rudy, Sammy, Scotty, Sonny, Teddy, Buddie, Dany, Franky, Fredy, Hughie, Jonny, Laddie, Micky, Mikey, Odie, Ozzie, Ritchie, Willy, Acey, Albie, Alfie, Benjie, Budd, Hardie, Herbie, Hughey, Jessey, Mackey, Moody, Olie, Taiden, Tollie, Wallie, Benji, Benjy, Frankye, Lewie, Mikie, Sollie, Tobby, Mosie, Benney, Bubber, Frankey, Freddi, Harvy, Macky, Olly, Tommey
Names like Charlie
Names whose popularity has moved with Charlie's over the last 50 years.
