Is Charity a boy's or girl's name?

Charity is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 39 recorded births.

When was Charity most popular?

Charity reached its peak popularity in 1975 with 1,420 births that year. It is currently ranked #2037 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Charity?

Charity is currently ranked #2037 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 35,419 babies since 1880.

Charity

A Latin name gently fading from the charts.

Girl's name| Also boysLatinDeclining Also a pet name

#2037▼ 297in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A female given name from English.

Charity is a girl's and boy's baby name of Latin origin, from the Latin caritas, meaning 'generous love, affection, esteem.' In Christian theology, Charity (alongside Faith and Hope) is one of the three theological virtues — the greatest of them, according to Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians.

With over 35,400 U.S. births, Charity has a long American history as a virtue name. It carries warmth and genuine moral aspiration — a name that reminds its bearer of the most important quality a person can possess.

Compare Charity with another name

Popularity Over Time

Charity was #564 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #2037, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Charity
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	610	#1716	▼
2010s	2,382	#1080	▼
2000s	4,751	#619	—
1990s	4,980	#497	▼
1980s	8,212	#307	▼
1970s	9,718	#295	▲
1960s	1,036	#1104	▲
1950s	519	#1408	▲
1940s	456	#1228	▲
1930s	385	#1180	▼
1920s	573	#994	▼
1910s	658	#726	▲
1900s	416	#537	▲
1890s	400	#449	▲
1880s	323	#355	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Charity
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	95	#2037	-23 (-19.5%)
2023	118	#1740	0
2022	118	#1758	-16 (-11.9%)
2021	134	#1569	-11 (-7.6%)
2020	145	#1478	-39 (-21.2%)
2019	184	#1261	-5 (-2.6%)
2018	189	#1232	-8 (-4.1%)
2017	197	#1220	0
2016	197	#1237	-9 (-4.4%)
2015	206	#1209	-41 (-16.6%)
2014	247	#1052	-14 (-5.4%)
2013	261	#965	-15 (-5.4%)
2012	276	#928	-34 (-11.0%)
2011	310	#848	-5 (-1.6%)
2010	315	#851	-1 (-0.3%)
2009	316	#872	-53 (-14.4%)
2008	369	#790	-70 (-15.9%)
2007	439	#670	+4 (0.9%)
2006	435	#664	+11 (2.6%)
2005	424	#655	-84 (-16.5%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Charity as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Charity has also been given to 39 boys in the U.S. since 1975.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

1975

Peak year

Compare Charity as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Charity be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Charity is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #2037. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Charity has two lives

Charity, the baby name

#2037girls

35,419 babies

Currently viewing

Charity, the pet name

#5404pet name

12 pets

View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology