Charlie is another example of a once-masculine nickname taking on a life of its own. Originally a nickname for the name Charles, Charlie is also used for girls with names like Charlotte and Charlene. These days, the moniker is a popular name in its own right, although whether it's considered masculine or feminine seems to vary from country to country.
In the United States, France, and the Netherlands, the name is unisex, but slightly more popular for girls than it is for boys. In New Zealand, the name is also unisex, but it's more commonly used for boys. In Australia, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Sweden, Scotland, England, and Wales, the name doesn't even rank for girls, and is primarily associated with boys.
A spelling variation of the name, Charley, is primarily a name for girls in the U.S., and is not commonly used in the rest of the world. Whether you're using this name for a boy or a girl, your little one is in good company. Famous Charlies include beloved Peanuts character Charlie Brown, and silent film icon Charlie Chaplin.
