Since the year 2000, the name Charlotte has been making leaps and bounds in popularity. In fact, in the US, it went from being the 289th most popular name in 2000 to number 7 by 2017.
You might be thinking that the birth of Princess Charlotte in 2015 had something to do with this but, the truth is, the name had already reached the top ten most popular girl’s names by 2010.
Name Meaning
It’s no surprise that the name has caught on. Charlotte, the feminine form of Charles, has French roots and means both “petite” and “feminine”.
In addition to a handful of famous Charlottes including one of the Bronte sister, the name has been a pop culture stable for a long time.
Main characters in Sex and the City and Lost in Translation were named Charlotte, as were characters in Rugrats and Private Practice. From Charlotte’s Web the band Good Charlotte, there’s no shortage of inspiration for this classic yet modern name.
This rise in popularity means that the Charlotte’s of today will likely grow up sharing their name with a friend or classmate. That’s why choosing the right middle name is more important than ever. It’s the perfect way to make your Charlotte stand out from the rest.
Go for a Masculine Twist
Since Charlotte literally means “feminine”, one way to add some character and something a little unexpected is to match it with a really masculine name. The contrast can be both playful and elegant or even a little eccentric.
Consider Charlotte Zander, Charlotte Ryker, Charlotte Rocco, or Charlotte Maddox.
Another way to pair Charlotte with a man’s name is to pay tribute to a male member of the family. Whether it’s dad, grandfather, or a friend you hold dear, it’s a beautiful gesture that will tie your daughter and her namesake together for life.
These names could include some of the most popular men’s names of the last century, like Charlotte Robert, Charlotte James, Charlotte Michael, or Charlotte David.
A Few of Your Favorite Things
A great way to make Charlotte truly your own is to pair it with a middle name that’s unique to your tastes. Bonus points if it’s something that relates to your family as a whole. Charlotte is already a literary name, but Charlotte Jane or Charlotte Villette really take it to the next level if you’re a Bronte fan.
If your family loves the outdoors, try the name of your favorite park, lake, or mountain. Charlotte Acadia, Charlotte Meredith, or Charlotte Whitney.
You really can draw on any interest to find a suitable name. Charlotte Matisse, Charlotte Brahms, Charlotte Bourdain, Charlotte Cello. Whether you have a favorite artist, musician, chef, or even object, there’s no reason it can’t inspire the perfect middle name.
Pay Tribute to Your Heritage
Charlotte is a French name but adding a middle name from your own culture is a great way to give tribute to where you’re from and a chance to add something truly unique.
Does your family have Latino roots? Try Charlotte Jimena, Charlotte Valeria, or Charlotte Camila. If you’re African American, you can pair Charlotte with popular African American names like Charlotte Aniyah, Charlotte Destiny, or Charlotte Neveah or pick something with African roots like Charlotte Adama, Charlotte Ofrah, or Charlotte Uchenna.
There really are no limits. Go super French with Charlotte Celeste or Charlotte Jacquelyn. Pay tribute to the Royal Family with Charlotte Diana or Charlotte Elizabeth. Or, pick a popular Asian name, like the Indian-inspired Charlotte Saura, Japanese-inspired Charlotte Taka, or Charlotte Tan for a Vietnamese twist.
Follow the Trends or Go Your Own Way
Pairing Charlotte with another really popular girl’s name is a great way to stay on trend. There’s Charlotte Olivia, Charlotte Amelia, Charlotte Isla, or Charlotte Lily. Other popular names that aren’t quite in the top ten work well, too, like Charlotte Poppy, Charlotte Freya, and Charlotte Harper.
One the other end of the spectrum are names that are so unusual and unique, they’re no where near the top of the list when it comes to popularity. Here are some examples: Charlotte Aurora, Charlotte Zendaya, or Charlotte Brenna.
Adding the Right Twist
Charlotte is a beautiful name that’s recently grown in popularity but that doesn’t mean your daughter has to fit in with the crowd. One of the ways to make this name truly your own is to choose an interesting middle name that you and your daughter can identify with.
Whether you choose to honor a male family member, pay tribute to your heritage, go with something one trend, or choose something truly unique, pairing Charlotte with the right middle name will help make it unique. Your daughter will take it and truly make it her own.