Entry № 0503 · French, Germanic origin

Charlene Charlene — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ shar-LEEN /
Gender
Girl
Origin
French, Germanic
Meaning
"Free woman (Princess Charlene of Monaco, Olympic swimmer)"
Syllables
2
Rank · US 2025
№ 0
First recorded
Modern (French)

A name that means "free woman (princess charlene of monaco, olympic swimmer)".

Charlene is the French feminine of Charles — from the Old Germanic karl (free man). **A top-100 US baby name from 1947 to 1960**. **Princess Charlene of Monaco (born Charlene Lynette Wittstock, 1978)** — **Zimbabwean-born former Olympic swimmer (representing South Africa at Sydney 2000, where she finished fifth in the 4x100m medley relay); married Prince Albert II of Monaco on July 1, 2011, becoming the third Princess of Monaco after Grace Kelly and Stéphanie**. **Founded the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation in 2012, promoting water safety and aquatic education for children (1.2 million children have learned to swim through its programs)**. **Mother of twins Jacques and Gabriella (born 2014)**. **Charlene Tilton** (*Dallas* TV series). **Charlene Wittstock** — her name before marriage. **Charlene** — 1977 Motown song by Charlene Duncan ("I've Never Been to Me") — a 1982 #3 US hit.

Featured throughout Monégasque royal coverage.

Free woman. Olympic swimmer turned Princess of Monaco; her Foundation has taught 1.2 million children to swim.

The name in its native script.

Charlene
Transliteration
Charlene
Pronunciation
/ ʃɑːrˈliːn /
Root
Grammatical form

Where Charlene stands.

Current rank · 2025
№ 0 in the U.S.
All-time peak
№ 32 in 1952
Babies named Charlene · last year
125 in the U.S.
First entered SSA top-1000
1933
Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular
№25 №75 №150 №250 1995 2005 2015 2020 2025 PEAK · #32 NOW · —

Charlenes before her.

Real people
Princess Charlene of Monaco
Olympic swimmer and Princess.
born 1978
Charlene Tilton
American actress.
born 1958
In fiction
Charlene
I've Never Been to Me.
1977

Names connected to Charlene.

The number behind Charlene.

8

The Authority

Charlene reduces to eight — the number of Princess of Monaco.

Why families chose this name.

"Monaco's free woman. Eight letters. Charlene."
Maria · Mother of one · Monte Carlo