Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Charley

Charlie has mostly been considered a masculine nickname for the English Charles (from the German Karl meaning “free man”); however, in colloquial style it has also been used as a female pet form for women with Charles inspired names (Charlotte, Caroline, Charlene, Charlize, etc). Charlie and Charley have been used an independently given names in their own right, historically for little boys. However, in more recent times Charlie became unisex as an out-right given name and Charley followed suit shortly thereafter. Parents in the United States, Canada and Australia have now hijacked Charley almost exclusively over to the female camp. Names like Charlee, Charli and Charleigh were also developed in order to provide alternative spellings for girls specifically. Using nicknames as official birth certificate names (rather than pet forms of more traditional names) is an informal, relaxed trend mostly prevalent in North America and Australia. The Scots occasionally use Charley for their little lasses, too.

All About the Baby Name – Charley

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME CHARLEY

The number Nine personality represents the completion or ending of the cycle, and a need for perfection. This is the personality that moves from "self" to a greater understanding and compassion for the human condition and the world order. They want to make the world a better place. Nines are capable of great spiritual and humanitarian achievements. They are courageous and fearless, able to fight great battles on behalf of worthy causes. These personalities will not tolerate injustice. They are compassionate people with a strong sensitivity to others. They are able to both educate and inspire. Friendships and relationships are the lifeblood to the Nine, and they place a high value on love and affection. Nines are often exceptionally gifted artistically, and they have a keen imagination and enterprising mind.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME CHARLEY

Charley used to be on the male naming charts in America, but not since 1981. Charley then appeared on the female naming charts for the first time in 2009 and has gained a fair bit of ground. The classic spelling of Charlie is still unisex (although it remains more popular for boys); but Charlee, Charley, Charli and Charleigh are all pretty much female in America now (none appear on the masculine Top 1000). Charley – like Abby, Maddie or Molly – is a common example of a laid-back nickname morphing into a popular girl’s given name all by itself. There’s no denying how darling Charley is, how upbeat, friendly and approachable; but we still think she’s a little too idiomatic and informal as a sole option. Consider the elegance of Charlotte, Charlize or Caroline as given names and the usage of Charley as your daughter’s everyday name. At least this way you give your child the choice later in life if she prefers a more mature sounding name. Either way, we totally get the appeal of Charley (it’s actually our favorite respelling). Charlee is a little on the cutesy side, Charli looks too truncated and Charleigh is way too fancy-pants.

Quick Facts

ON CHARLEY

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

American

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

513

PRONUNCIATION:

CHAHR-lee

SIMPLE MEANING:

Free (wo)man

Characteristics

OF CHARLEY

Multi-talented

Intuitive

Oneness

Idealistic

Philanthropy

Independent

Perfection

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Charley

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME CHARLEY

Charley is Willy Loman’s next-door neighbor in Arthur Miller’s classic 1949 play, Death of a Salesman. Charley is a good man with a sense of pity for Willy. He is neighborly, offering Willy a job, lending him money and playing cards with him. For his efforts, Charley is held in some contempt by Willy, who envies Charley his relative prosperity. Charley, for his part, is not all that fond of Willy, but it is a measure of his essential decency that he repeatedly offers Willy the kind of help he, Charley, sees as sensible and all-serving. Ultimately, Willy, who is otherwise losing his grip on reality, confesses one true thing – his belief that Charley is his only friend.

Charley Bates is a character in Charles Dickens’ 1838 classic, Oliver Twist. Charley is a good-natured and indefatigable member of Fagin’s gang of pickpockets into which Oliver is inducted. Unlike the naïve and well-behaved Oliver, who is discovered to be of gentle birth, our Charley is what he is. He’s a boy of the streets, of common origin, who gets by on a wink and a smile. And a few pockets. He and the Artful Dodger teach Oliver all they know, to disastrous results – well, not for Oliver, you may be sure. Laugh-a-minute Charley ultimately sees the light and gives up his thieving ways. We are told he does so because of his horror over Sikes’ murder of Nancy, but we’re willing to bet that he saw a surer thing in legitimacy. Charley prospers on his own merits, not by any mere coincidence of parentage, and we’re glad he does!

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME CHARLEY

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Charley


Popular Songs

ON CHARLEY

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Charley


Famous People

NAMED CHARLEY

Charley Patton (notable blues musician)
Charley Chase (American comic/actor/screenwriter/director)
Charley Boorman (actor)
Charley Steiner (sportscaster)
Charley Grapewin (vaudeville actor)
Charley Paddock (Olympic athlete)
Charley Riley (boxer)
Charley Straight (bandleader/composer)
Charley Trippi (football player)
Charley Pell (college football coach)
Charley Pride (country music singer)
Charley Steinbeck (Nobel Prize winning author John Steinbeck's famous French standard poodle)

Children of Famous People

NAMED CHARLEY

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Charley

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME CHARLEY

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Charley