The name Charity is derived from the Latin word "caritas", which means "dearness, high regard, or esteem". It is also related to the Latin word "carus", meaning "dear" or "beloved". The name emerged during the early Christian era, around the 3rd to 4th century AD, as a virtue representing compassion, love, and generosity towards others.

Charity was initially popularized as a virtue in the New Testament of the Bible, particularly in the writings of St. Paul, who described it as one of the three greatest virtues, along with faith and hope. The concept of charity as a virtue was embraced by the early Christian church and became a central tenet of the religion.

One of the earliest recorded instances of Charity as a given name is found in the 6th century AD, with Saint Charity of Le Puy, a French abbess and founder of the Abbey of Le Puy-en-Velay. Another notable figure was Charity Byrne (c. 1701-1773), an Irish Roman Catholic nun and founder of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In the 17th century, the name gained popularity in England, with Charity White (c. 1603-1691) being one of the earliest recorded individuals with this name. She was a Puritan woman who immigrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1630s.

Another famous bearer of the name was Charity Hayter (1825-1892), an English novelist and writer of children's books, who was known for her moral tales and stories promoting Christian values.

In the 19th century, Charity Ricketts (1841-1910) was an American social reformer and activist who worked for women's suffrage and the abolition of slavery. She was also involved in the establishment of the Women's Christian Temperance Union.

Charity Edna Munden (1879-1966), also known as Charity Edna Motley, was an American educator and civil rights activist who fought for desegregation and equal educational opportunities for African Americans in Oklahoma.

These are just a few examples of historical figures who bore the name Charity, reflecting its association with virtues of compassion, generosity, and service to others throughout different eras and cultures.