The name Charles has its origins in the Germanic language family, derived from the Old German words 'karl' meaning 'man' and 'hraið' meaning 'army' or 'warrior'. It was initially popularized as the moniker 'Carolus' in Latin during the Middle Ages.

Early historical references to the name can be found in the 8th century writings of the Frankish scholar and poet Paulinus of Aquileia. He documented the name as a descriptor of martial prowess and virtue among the Carolingian dynasty of Frankish kings.

One of the earliest and most renowned bearers of the name was Charlemagne (742-814), also known as Charles the Great. As the King of the Franks and the first ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, he played a pivotal role in shaping medieval European history and culture.

Another noteworthy Charles was Charles V (1500-1558), the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, who presided over a vast empire spanning much of Europe and the Americas during the 16th century.

In England, the name gained prominence with the reign of Charles I (1600-1649), who ruled as the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1625 until his execution during the English Civil War. His son, Charles II (1630-1685), later restored the monarchy after the Interregnum period.

The name Charles also has a rich literary heritage, with acclaimed authors such as Charles Dickens (1812-1870), the renowned English novelist known for works like "A Tale of Two Cities" and "Great Expectations", and Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867), the influential French poet and critic who helped pioneer the modern poetry movement.

In the realm of science and philosophy, Charles Darwin (1809-1882) stands out as the celebrated English naturalist whose groundbreaking theory of evolution by natural selection revolutionized our understanding of the natural world.