Charity \ch(a)-ri-ty\ as a girl's name is pronounced CHARE-ih-tee. It is of Latin origin, and the meaning of Charity is "dear, beloved". From the word which originally denoted the Christian's love for his fellow man (Latin "caritas" meaning "generous love", from Latin "carus" meaning "dear"). One of the virtue names, used as a given name since the 16th century. Cherry was originally a pet form of Charity. Saint Paul said in Corinthians, "and now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. See also Faith and Hope.

Charity has 27 variant forms: Caridad, Caridade, Carissa, Carita, Chairity, Chareese, Charidy, Chariety, Charis, Charissa, Charisse, Charita, Charitee, Charitey, Chariti, Charitye, Chariza, Charty, Chattie, Cherit, Cherri, Cherry, Karita, Sharitee, Sharitey, Sharity and Sharitye.

For more information, see also related names Chasity, Clemence and Esperanza.

Baby names that sound like Charity are Cherita, Cherith and Sharita.