Charles

Charles is a common given name for males, derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man". The name became popular in Europe during the Middle Ages due to the fame of Charles the Great, also known as Charlemagne. Today, it is used in various forms in countries around the world.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The name Charles comes from the Germanic name Karl, which is derived from a word meaning "free man" or "man" (Old English: ceorl). The name was popularized in Europe by the fame of Charles the Great (Charlemagne), King of the Franks and Lombards and then Roman Emperor in the 8th-9th centuries.

Variations[edit | edit source]

There are many variations of the name Charles in different languages, including:

Carlos in Spanish and Portuguese
Carlo in Italian
Karl in German
Carl in Swedish, Danish and Norwegian
Karel in Dutch and Czech
Karol in Polish and Slovak
Carol in Romanian
Charlot in French (diminutive form)

People named Charles[edit | edit source]

Many notable people have been named Charles, including:

Charles I of England, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1625 until his execution in 1649
Charles II of England, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1660 until his death in 1685
Charles Darwin, English naturalist, geologist and biologist, best known for his contributions to the science of evolution
Charles Dickens, English writer and social critic, regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era
Charles de Gaulle, French general and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II

See also[edit | edit source]

Charles Resources
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