Charlston, pronounced /ˈtʃɑːlstən/, is an uncommon given name of American origin. It is derived from the surname Charleston, which has both English and Scottish roots. The name Charleston is thought to have originated as a topographic surname for someone who lived in a place named after the Old French word 'charuel', meaning 'cart horse'. Alternatively, it could be derived from the habitational name Charleston, taken directly from any of the various places so named, such as those in Dorset and Sussex in England, or Charleston in West Virginia, USA. The name gained popularity in the United States during the early 20th century, perhaps influenced by the dance craze of the same name that emerged during this period. However, its usage has remained relatively low compared to other names. Today, Charlston is still considered an unusual but distinctively American choice for a given name.
The name Charleston had a consistent level of popularity between 1974 and 1984 with five births each year during those periods. It experienced an increase in popularity in 1990 with six births recorded that year. Over the entire span, there were a total of twenty-one births named Charleston.