boy's name
Charlemagne
SHAR-luh-mayn (English)
- Origin French, Germanic
- Gender Boy
- Syllables 3
- Letters 11
- Popularity Rare
- Births on record 1,119
Charlemagne is a rare boy's name meaning "Charles the Great," from the French form of Latin Carolus Magnus. It honors the Frankish king who was crowned emperor in the year 800, and its Germanic root Karl means "man" or "free man."
- Charlemagne is a name of French, Germanic origin.
- Peaked in France in 1907, when 35 babies were given the name.
- After peaking in the 1900s it fell out of use, and is now climbing again — a classic revival in France.
- First appears in birth records in 1900.
- 3 syllables, with the stress on syllable 1.
Charlemagne Over Time
Births per decade in France, 1900s to 1990s.
Show the numbers
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 245 |
| 1910s | 200 |
| 1920s | 185 |
| 1930s | 170 |
| 1940s | 90 |
| 1950s | 100 |
| 1960s | 50 |
| 1970s | 15 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 5 |
What Charlemagne Means
Charlemagne means Charles the Great. Charles comes from a Germanic word for a man, and magne from Latin magnus, great, so the name is a royal title more than a personal name.
Where Charlemagne Comes From
The man behind the name was Charles, king of the Franks, born in the 740s and crowned emperor by Pope Leo III on Christmas Day in the year 800. Speakers of his own language called him Karl, while Latin writers wrote Carolus. The epithet magnus, great, attached itself so firmly that the two words fused in Old French into a single name, Charlemagne. Medieval epic poetry, above all The Song of Roland, spread that form across Europe. Using it as a personal name came later and has always been unusual, a way of giving a child a famous ruler's whole title.
Charlemagne in Use
Charlemagne is remembered as a father of medieval Europe, and many European royal houses claimed descent from him. In France he's known in school tradition as a patron of learning. Charlie and Charles are the natural everyday forms.
How Popular Is Charlemagne?
In 1995, Charlemagne was given to 5 babies in France. It is a rare choice.
Where Charlemagne Is Used
French counts are rounded to the nearest five and nothing below five is published, so these figures show the shape of the name's use rather than an exact tally. Data & sources.
Names That Peaked Alongside Charlemagne
These names rose and fell in the same era, which is why they tend to sound like they belong together.
Parents Who Like Charlemagne Also Like
Names whose popularity has risen and fallen in step with Charlemagne over the last century — the same taste, a different name.
How to Say Charlemagne
- English SHAR-luh-mayn
1 nickname for Charlemagne
Each one is a name in its own right — the figure underneath is how it is doing today, so you can see which short forms are rising and which have faded.
Charlemagne in Other Languages
The same name as it is spelled elsewhere — not shortenings, and not different names that merely sound alike. Each one has its own record here.
Sibling Names for Charlemagne
Names from the same era that do not rhyme or share an initial with Charlemagne — the two things that make a sibling set grate.
Common Questions About Charlemagne
What does the name Charlemagne mean?
Charles the Great, from the Latin Carolus Magnus.
Is Charlemagne a real first name?
Yes, though it's rare. It appears mainly in France and among a few American families.
What is the root of Charlemagne?
The Germanic word Karl, meaning a man, joined to Latin magnus, great.
How popular is the name Charlemagne?
In 1995, Charlemagne was given to 5 babies in France. It is a rare choice.
Is Charlemagne a girl's or a boy's name?
Charlemagne is given almost entirely to boys in birth records.
How many syllables are in Charlemagne?
Charlemagne has 3 syllables.
When was Charlemagne most popular?
Charlemagne peaked in 1907, when 35 babies were given the name. After peaking in the 1900s it fell out of use, and is now climbing again — a classic revival.
What are the nicknames for Charlemagne?
Charlemagne is usually shortened to Charlie.
Is Charlemagne a good name?
That is not something records can settle, but they can tell you what you would be choosing. Charlemagne currently ranks #8,731 in France. After peaking in the 1900s it fell out of use, and is now climbing again — a classic revival. Everything else — how it sounds with your surname, who it reminds you of — is yours.