Charles
Boy name · 3,621 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Charles: 3,621 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 135 births in 1979.
Charles is a name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old High German *karal*, meaning "free man." It was Latinised as *Carolus* and brought to Britain by the Normans as *Charles*. The name has been borne by numerous European royals, most notably King Charles III, the current British monarch, and his predecessor, King Charles II. In the world of science, Charles Darwin, the naturalist who developed the theory of evolution, is a famous bearer. The name also appears in the place name Charleston, the capital of West Virginia, which was named after a settler rather than a monarch. A notable variant is the feminine form Charlotte, which has seen a resurgence in popularity in Scotland in recent years.
Boy 52 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 1979135 babies
- Latest (2025)
- #29812 babies
- Total births
- 3,621since 1974
- 5-year trend
- ▼ 34%vs prior 5y