| Charles | William | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Free man | Resolute protector |
| Origin | Germanic | Germanic |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | CHARLZ | WIL-yum |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1947 (40,781) | 1947 (67,002) |
| In 2025 | 5,898 | 10,545 |
| Trend | Steady | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Charles | William |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 35,125 | 68,067 |
| 2010s | 70,024 | 159,981 |
| 2000s | 75,334 | 194,415 |
| 1990s | 92,434 | 217,822 |
| 1980s | 131,902 | 248,277 |
| 1970s | 163,021 | 283,401 |
| 1960s | 249,398 | 421,433 |
| 1950s | 361,177 | 591,228 |
| 1940s | 361,772 | 556,478 |
| 1930s | 303,218 | 416,730 |
| 1920s | 298,031 | 512,402 |
| 1910s | 173,535 | 303,017 |
| 1900s | 36,184 | 69,320 |
| 1890s | 36,848 | 72,244 |
| 1880s | 46,656 | 84,881 |
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.
William is a Germanic name meaning “resolute protector,” from wil (“will, desire”) and helm (“helmet, protection”). William the Conqueror brought it to England in 1066, and it has been a royal staple ever since.
William is more popular than Charles today: about 10,545 US babies were given the name William in 2025, compared with 5,898 named Charles.
Charles means Free man (Germanic origin), while William means Resolute protector (Germanic origin).
In US records, Charles first appears in 1880 and William in 1880, so Charles has the longer recorded history.