The name Charlie is a diminutive form of the name Charles, which originated from the Germanic name Karl. This name was derived from the Old English word "ceorl," meaning a free man or husband. The name Karl gained popularity in the Middle Ages after Charlemagne, the King of the Franks, who ruled from 768 to 814 AD.

The name Charles is believed to have been first introduced to England by the Normans after their conquest in 1066. It became a popular name among the English nobility and royalty, with several kings bearing the name, including Charles I and Charles II.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Charlie dates back to the 16th century, when it was used as a nickname for Charles. In literature, the name Charlie appears in works such as Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist," where the character Charlie Bates is a member of the Artful Dodger's gang.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Charlie. One of the most famous was Charlie Chaplin, the legendary English comic actor, and filmmaker who lived from 1889 to 1977. Another well-known Charlie was Charlie Parker, the American jazz saxophonist and composer, who was born in 1920 and died in 1955.

In the realm of sports, Charlie Gehringer, an American baseball player who played for the Detroit Tigers from 1924 to 1942, was renowned for his batting skills and induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Charlie Hustle was the nickname of Pete Rose, the American professional baseball player, and manager who lived from 1941 to present.

The name Charlie also has ties to literature, with Charlie Brown being the central character in the beloved "Peanuts" comic strip created by Charles M. Schulz, which ran from 1950 to 2000.