Meaning & Origin
A unisex given name. Alternative form of Charlie. A diminutive of the male given name Charles. A diminutive of the female given names Charlotte or Charlene.
Charley is a girl's and boy's baby name of Germanic origin, an alternate spelling of Charlie, a diminutive of Charlotte or Charles, from the Old High German Karl meaning 'free man' or 'warrior.' The -ey ending gives it a classic, slightly vintage feel distinct from the more common Charli or Charlie.
Charley is the traditional spelling for the feminine form, sitting in literary history alongside Dickens characters and 19th-century heroines. It has a tomboyish charm that has been fashionable across generations. With nearly 11,000 U.S. births as a girls' name, it has consistent appeal.