Charlotte is a French feminine given name, a diminutive form of Charles. It means "free man" or "petite" and dates back to at least the 14th century. The name was introduced to Britain in the 17th century and gained prominence through royal and literary associations. Etymology and History Derived from the French feminine diminutive of Charles, Charlotte ultimately comes from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man." The use of Charlotte as an independent given name began in France and spread across Europe. It was notably borne by Queen Charlotte (1744–1818), the German-born wife of King George III of Great Britain and Ireland, after whom the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, is named. Notable Bearers One of the most famous literary figures is Charlotte Brontë (1816–1855), the eldest of the three Brontë sisters and author of Jane Eyre and Villette. In popular culture, Charlotte A. Cavatica, the spider in E. B. White's Charlotte's Web (1952), remains an endearing fictional bearer. Among royalty, notable namesakes include Charlotte of Belgium (Empress of Mexico), Charlotte Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, and today's Princess Charlotte of Cambridge. Popularity Charlotte was common in France, England, and the United States in the early 20th century. It declined in mid-century but resurged in France and England by the late 1900s. In the United States, it re-entered the top ten in 2014 and has remained highly popular since. It is the most popular girls' name in Australia (2013) and consistently rates among the top in both Canada and Great Britain. Variants and Diminutives Swedish variant Charlotta is one of several forms. English diminutives include Charley, Charli, Charlie, Charly, Tottie, and Swedish Lottie. Cognates appear across many languages, such as Charlize (Afrikaans), Karalina (Belarusian), Carla (Spanish), Karla (Czech), and Karolina (Polish). Meaning: "free man" or "petite" (feminine diminutive of Charles) Origin: French Type: Given name Usage Regions: Throughout Europe, North America, Australia