| Charles | Walter | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Free man | Army ruler |
| Origin | Germanic | germanic |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | CHARLZ | WAWL-ter |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1947 (40,781) | 1918 (13,338) |
| In 2025 | 5,898 | 1,381 |
| Trend | Steady | Rising |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Charles | Walter |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 35,125 | 7,725 |
| 2010s | 70,024 | 10,607 |
| 2000s | 75,334 | 8,133 |
| 1990s | 92,434 | 12,020 |
| 1980s | 131,902 | 17,568 |
| 1970s | 163,021 | 25,726 |
| 1960s | 249,398 | 45,929 |
| 1950s | 361,177 | 72,197 |
| 1940s | 361,772 | 83,728 |
| 1930s | 303,218 | 80,908 |
| 1920s | 298,031 | 119,809 |
| 1910s | 173,535 | 89,145 |
| 1900s | 36,184 | 19,997 |
| 1890s | 36,848 | 19,495 |
| 1880s | 46,656 | 18,185 |
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 Germanic 'wald' (rule, power) and 'heri' (army), giving 'ruler/commander of the army'. Brought to England by the Normans.
Charles is more popular than Walter today: about 5,898 US babies were given the name Charles in 2025, compared with 1,381 named Walter.
Charles means Free man (Germanic origin), while Walter means Army ruler (germanic origin).
In US records, Charles first appears in 1880 and Walter in 1880, so Charles has the longer recorded history.