Charles, derived from the Germanic name 'Karl', means 'free man' or 'strong'. It was popular among European royalty during the Middle Ages, with notable bearers including Charlemagne, the powerful Frankish king who became a Holy Roman Emperor in 800 AD. The name's enduring appeal is evident in its enduring popularity throughout history and across cultures.
"Over the course of these years, the name Charles experienced varying popularity in births. It peaked in 1924 with 7 births and had several periods of consistent popularity, notably from 1983 to 1987 where it maintained a stable number of 5 births per year."