Chares first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Chares has been for the last 1 years (from 1975 to 1975) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Chares

Derived from an ancient Greek word meaning "delight" or "rejoicing".

Popularity of Chares by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Chares is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1975, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Chares.

Year Male Count Female Count
1975 5 0

The history of the first name Chares

The name Chares has its origins in Ancient Greek, deriving from the word "chairo" which means "to rejoice" or "to be glad." It was a popular name among the Greeks, particularly in the classical period around the 5th century BCE.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Chares can be found in the works of Xenophon, a renowned ancient Greek historian and philosopher. He mentions a general named Chares who led Athenian forces during the Corinthian War in the late 4th century BCE.

In ancient Greek mythology, Chares was also the name of one of the sons of Heracles, the legendary hero known for his incredible strength and courage. This association with a mythological figure suggests that the name may have been bestowed upon children as a symbol of strength and bravery.

Another notable figure named Chares was a Greek sculptor who lived in the 4th century BCE. He is known for creating the famous Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This massive statue, standing over 30 meters tall, was a testament to the skill and artistry of Chares.

Moving forward in history, Chares of Lindos was a Greek historian who lived in the 3rd century BCE. He wrote about the history of his native island of Rhodes and is cited by other ancient authors, such as Plutarch and Strabo.

In the Byzantine Empire, Chares was also the name of a prominent military leader who served under Emperor Heraclius in the early 7th century CE. He played a crucial role in the Byzantine-Sassanid War, leading the Byzantine forces to several victories against the Persians.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who bore the name Chares. While its usage may have waned over time, the name's ancient Greek roots and associations with strength, joy, and historical figures have left an enduring legacy.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Chares was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Chares, please contact us.

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"Chares first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 6, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/chares-meaning-and-history/.

"Chares first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/chares-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 6 May, 2025

Chares first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/chares-meaning-and-history/.

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