Charley is an English masculine given name derived from the Old English name Charles, which originated from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "manly". The name Charles can be traced back to the 8th century and was popularized by Charlemagne, the King of the Franks and the first Holy Roman Emperor.

The name Charley emerged as a diminutive or nickname for Charles, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 16th century. It gained widespread use in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in England and the United States.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Charley can be found in the works of William Shakespeare, where it appears as a character in the play "Henry IV, Part 2" (1597-1599). In this play, Shakespeare introduces a character named "Charley's Aunt," which later inspired the popular farce "Charley's Aunt" by Brandon Thomas in 1892.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Charley. One of the most famous was Charley Parkhurst (1812-1879), an American stagecoach driver and one of the first women to work as a stagecoach driver in the American West. Parkhurst's true gender was only revealed after her death.

Another prominent figure was Charley Patton (1891-1934), an American Delta blues musician who is considered one of the most influential figures in the development of the blues genre. Patton's music and style had a significant impact on later blues artists, including Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf.

In the world of literature, Charley Chaplin (1889-1977) was the stage name of the iconic English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer, known for his iconic "Little Tramp" character and pioneering work in the early days of cinema.

Charley Boorman (born 1966) is a British actor, television presenter, and author, best known for his adventure travel documentaries, including "Long Way Round" and "Long Way Down," which he co-hosted with his friend and fellow actor Ewan McGregor.

Finally, Charley Pride (1934-2020) was an American country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was one of the first African American artists to achieve significant commercial success in the country music genre, with hits such as "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'" and "Is Anybody Goin' to San Antone."