Charlay
Girl name · 3 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Charlay: 3 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 3 births in 2008.
Charlay is a modern, creative spelling of the classic Charley, itself a diminutive of Charles, which comes from the Germanic word *karlaz* meaning "free man." While Charlay has no widely known famous bearers, the name it draws from boasts illustrious figures such as Charlie Chaplin, the silent film legend, and naturalist Charles Darwin. No place is directly named after a Charlay, but the root element "Char-" appears in numerous locations worldwide, from Charleston to the River Char in England. This variant emerged as part of a broader trend of reimagining traditional names with fresh endings—think Charlay alongside Kaylee or Shay—making it a distinctive choice that feels both familiar and unique. Its rarity in Scottish records suggests parents drawn to it value individuality while still honoring a time-honoured meaning of independence.
Girl 1 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 20083 babies
- Latest (2008)
- #7933 babies
- Total births
- 3since 2008
- 5-year trend
- ≈ stablevs prior 5y