Charly
Girl name · 81 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Charly: 81 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 9 births in 1999.
Charly, most often a modern, gender-neutral spelling of Charlie, ultimately derives from the Old English or Old High German name *Carl* or *Karl*, meaning “free man.” The name’s roots lie in the Germanic word *karlaz*, and its link to “Charles” has made it widely used across Europe. Perhaps the most famous bearer is the 20th-century French singer and songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, whose daughter, actress Charlotte Gainsbourg, carries the feminine form. The name also calls to mind Charly García, the influential Argentine rock musician. While Charly itself does not directly name any major places, the root “Carl” appears in countless locations, from Charleston in the USA to Karlovy Vary in Czechia. As a spelling, Charly offers a slightly more streamlined, contemporary alternative to Charlie, popular in Scotland and elsewhere as a fresh choice for any gender.
Girl 18 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 19999 babies
- Latest (2020)
- #7653 babies
- Total births
- 81since 1992
- 5-year trend
- ▼ 17%vs prior 5y