Originating from French roots, the given name Charnay is derived from the commune of Charnay-lès-Chalon in Burgundy. It is composed of the Old French elements 'charnel' meaning 'flesh', and 'val' referring to a valley. Historically, it has been used as both a masculine and feminine name, although its usage has waned over time.
"The name Charnay experienced fluctuating popularity over these years, peaking at 15 births in 1992 and dropping to as low as 5 in both 1985 and 2005."