| Charles | Robert | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Free man | Bright fame |
| Origin | Germanic | Germanic |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | CHARLZ | ROB-ert |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1947 (40,781) | 1947 (91,655) |
| In 2025 | 5,898 | 3,772 |
| Trend | Steady | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Charles | Robert |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 35,125 | 24,325 |
| 2010s | 70,024 | 62,654 |
| 2000s | 75,334 | 106,666 |
| 1990s | 92,434 | 205,459 |
| 1980s | 131,902 | 321,655 |
| 1970s | 163,021 | 397,225 |
| 1960s | 249,398 | 650,786 |
| 1950s | 361,177 | 830,395 |
| 1940s | 361,772 | 758,126 |
| 1930s | 303,218 | 590,810 |
| 1920s | 298,031 | 576,374 |
| 1910s | 173,535 | 239,185 |
| 1900s | 36,184 | 35,849 |
| 1890s | 36,848 | 26,147 |
| 1880s | 46,656 | 24,074 |
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.
Robert is a Germanic name from hrod (“fame”) and beraht (“bright”), so “bright fame.” A Norman favourite, it was borne by the Scottish hero-king Robert the Bruce.
Charles is more popular than Robert today: about 5,898 US babies were given the name Charles in 2025, compared with 3,772 named Robert.
Charles means Free man (Germanic origin), while Robert means Bright fame (Germanic origin).
In US records, Charles first appears in 1880 and Robert in 1880, so Charles has the longer recorded history.