| Charles | Louis | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Free man | Famous warrior |
| Origin | Germanic | germanic |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | CHARLZ | LOO-ee |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1947 (40,781) | 1921 (7,247) |
| In 2025 | 5,898 | 1,391 |
| Trend | Steady | Rising |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Charles | Louis |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 35,125 | 8,577 |
| 2010s | 70,024 | 11,815 |
| 2000s | 75,334 | 10,262 |
| 1990s | 92,434 | 14,436 |
| 1980s | 131,902 | 17,354 |
| 1970s | 163,021 | 20,145 |
| 1960s | 249,398 | 33,382 |
| 1950s | 361,177 | 47,933 |
| 1940s | 361,772 | 49,430 |
| 1930s | 303,218 | 47,754 |
| 1920s | 298,031 | 67,693 |
| 1910s | 173,535 | 50,600 |
| 1900s | 36,184 | 10,372 |
| 1890s | 36,848 | 8,442 |
| 1880s | 46,656 | 8,275 |
Charles is a Germanic name meaning “free man.” It was borne by Charlemagne — Charles the Great — and by a long line of European kings and emperors.
From the Frankish Hludwig, combining 'hlud' (famous, loud) with 'wig' (war, battle), hence 'famous in war'. Carried by 18 kings of France.
Charles is more popular than Louis today: about 5,898 US babies were given the name Charles in 2025, compared with 1,391 named Louis.
Charles means Free man (Germanic origin), while Louis means Famous warrior (germanic origin).
In US records, Charles first appears in 1880 and Louis in 1880, so Charles has the longer recorded history.