Charles \ch(ar)-les\ as a boy's name is pronounced charlz. It is of Old German origin, and the meaning of Charles is "free man". From "karl", similar to Old English "churl", meaning "man, serf". The first Holy Roman Emperor (seventh to eighth century) Charlemagne (Latin Carolus Magnus, meaning "Charles the Great") was a powerful German leader who created a more ordered society out of the chaos that followed the fall of Rome. He united France and much of central Europe. His widespread fame gave rise to many forms of his name. Charles is the French variant of Carolus or Karolus, adopted by the English especially since the 17th-century reigns of kings Charles I and II. Charles and its variant forms have been favoured by the royalty of several countries, including the present Prince of Wales. Charlie and Charly are occasionally used for girls. See also Arlo. Naturalist Charles Darwin; French president Charles de Gaulle; author Charles Dickens; actor Charlie Chaplin; basketball player Charles Barkley.

Charles has 27 variant forms: Carel, Carl, Carlo, Carlos, Carrol, Carroll, Cary, Caryl, Chad, Charleson, Charley, Charlie, Charlot, Charls, Charlton, Charly, Chas, Chaz, Chick, Chip, Chuck, Karel, Karl, Karol, Karolek, Karolik and Karoly.

For more information, see also related names Cale and Curley.

A baby name that sounds like Charles is Charleston.