Holding steady, #14,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Charna since 1928
Babies named Charna per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1965, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Charna's real moment was 1977.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 6 |
| 1930s | 6 |
| 1940s | 52 |
| 1950s | 70 |
| 1960s | 72 |
| 1970s | 84 |
| 1980s | 96 |
| 1990s | 51 |
| 2000s | 47 |
| 2010s | 43 |
| 2020s | 33 |
Meaning & origin
Charna is a rare name with probable Yiddish and Hebrew origins, often interpreted as 'black' or 'dark.' It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1928 and reached its peak usage in 1977. The name has maintained a stable trajectory over the decades, never breaking into common usage. In 2025, it ranked 14,942, with approximately 1 in every 321,453 female newborns receiving the name. Despite its low frequency, Charna carries a distinctive cultural resonance within Jewish communities, offering a connection to heritage for families seeking an uncommon yet meaningful name.
Charna likely derives from Yiddish 'shvarts' meaning 'black,' or from Hebrew 'שָׁחוֹר' (shachor) 'black.' It has been used primarily in Jewish communities, particularly in Ashkenazi families. The name saw modest use in the United States beginning in the early 20th century, peaking in the 1970s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Char
Sibling names for Charna
Names that share Charna's style, for a brother or sister.
