Holding steady.
Popularity of Charls since 1886
Babies named Charls per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1932, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Charls's real moment was 1886.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 6 |
| 1890s | 6 |
| 1900s | 6 |
| 1910s | 101 |
| 1920s | 164 |
| 1930s | 165 |
| 1940s | 121 |
| 1950s | 56 |
| 1960s | 54 |
| 1970s | 16 |
| 1980s | 27 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Charls is a simplified spelling of Charles, a name with Germanic roots meaning "free man." It first appeared in U.S. records in 1886, though its usage has always been exceptionally rare. The name peaked in that same year, 1886, and has seen stable, minimal usage since, with no significant resurgence in later decades. Unlike Charles, which has ranked among the top names for centuries, Charls remains a true rarity, often chosen by parents seeking a distinctive variant of a classic name. Its trajectory has been stable, with no data for the most recent years suggesting it continues at trace levels.
Charls is a variant spelling of Charles, which derives from the Germanic word *karlaz* meaning "free man." The name Charles was introduced to England by the Normans and became a royal name, notably with King Charles I and II. The spelling Charls, though less common, has appeared in records since the 19th century, likely reflecting phonetic simplification.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Charlie, Chuck, Charley
Sibling names for Charls
Names that share Charls's style, for a brother or sister.
