Find out how popular the first name Charm has been for the last 49 years (from 1975 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Charm by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Charm is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 95% of people named Charm being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 88 female babies and 12 male babies born with the name Charm.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 12 baby boys were named Charm in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Charm

The name Charm originates from the Old French word "charme," which itself is derived from the Latin word "carmen," meaning a song, verse, or charm. The name likely emerged in the Middle Ages, initially used to describe a magical spell or incantation.

In ancient times, charms were often used in pagan rituals and ceremonies, perhaps contributing to the name's early association with mysticism and the supernatural. However, as Christianity spread throughout Europe, the name lost some of its occult connotations and became more closely tied to ideas of attraction, allure, and personal charisma.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Charm appears in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, written in the late 14th century. In the prologue, Chaucer describes the Squire as having "a semely man to been an amiable Charm." This usage suggests that by the 14th century, Charm had evolved into a descriptor of someone possessing an appealing, charming presence.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Charm. In the 16th century, Charm Hendricks was a renowned Dutch painter known for her exquisite portraits and still-life works (1555-1624). Later, in the 18th century, Charm Ackermann was a German composer and musician who contributed significantly to the development of early Romantic musical forms (1756-1801).

Moving into the 19th century, Charm Dickens was a British novelist and social critic, the daughter of the celebrated author Charles Dickens (1837-1896). Her memoir, "Reflections of a Charming Daughter," provides valuable insights into the life and works of her famous father.

In the 20th century, Charm Curie was a French physicist and chemist, following in the footsteps of her famous parents, Marie and Pierre Curie (1897-1972). She made groundbreaking contributions to the study of radioactivity and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1935.

Finally, in more recent times, Charm Angelou was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist (1928-2014). Her powerful and influential works, such as "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," explored themes of identity, race, and personal resilience, cementing her status as a literary icon.

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 Charm was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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