Data-driven popularity statistics, SSA rankings, and historical trends for the name Charles.
National Rank (2025)
#48
All-Time Peak Rank
#4 (1880)
Total U.S. Births
2,434,659
Unisex Distribution99.5% Boy / 0.5% GirlBalance: Overwhelmingly Male
💡 The Charles Vibe: This choice is considered a Perennial Favorite. A historic staple that has maintained dominant national popularity for over half a century.
📖 The Story Behind Charles
According to SSA data, Charles achieved its highest historical rank of #4 in 1880. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 1947 with 40,781 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have decreased by 18.1%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 146 consecutive years.
📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)
Watch how the absolute registration footprint of the name Charles scaled historically over the last century:
5-Year Trajectory Velocity
Stable
10-Year Decadal Shift Change
-18.1% Decline
18801920196020002025
📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility
Busiest Year on Record40,781Births in 1947
Years in Top 100
146yrs
Registry Appearance Streak
146Years
Historical VolatilityVery Stable
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s:46,656
1890s:36,848
1900s:36,184
1910s:173,535
1920s:298,031
1930s:303,218
1940s:361,772
1950s:361,177
1960s:249,398
1970s:163,021
1980s:131,902
1990s:92,434
2000s:75,334
2010s:70,024
2020s:35,125
📐 Sound & Spelling Structure
Phonetic SyllablesCharles
Letter Count7 Letters
Spelling ComplexityModerate
Linguistic Profile Narrative: It is an isogram, meaning no two letters are repeated. Longer than 54.1% of SSA names. Starts with C, a letter used by only 5.7% of SSA names.
🛠️ Rhythm & Cadence Engine
Need a middle name or matching choice that pairs cleanly with Charles? Enter a surname or older sibling name below to test structural meter and syllable cohesion:
BabyNameAnalytics