Charles is derived from the Old German name Carl, which means 'free man'. It was introduced to Britain by the Normans after the 1066 invasion and has since become one of the most popular names in English-speaking countries. Variations include Charlie, Chuck, Carl, Carlo, Carlos, andKarl. Notable figures with this name include King Charles II of England, American president Franklin D. Roosevelt's fifth cousin through his mother's line, and various famous authors such as Charles Dickens and Charles Baudelaire.
"The name Charlese saw a slight dip in popularity from 1960 to 1961, with 8 births recorded in the former year and 6 in the latter."