Girl name · Latin
Charity
“charity, selfless love”
Vibes
Common nicknames
Short-forms and diminutives parents often use for Charity.
Explore Charity further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with Charity — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
Charity translates Latin caritas, which in the theological sense means selfless love rather than almsgiving — the third and greatest of the theological virtues in the King James rendering of First Corinthians. The modern narrowing to donation has done the name no favours.
It was a standard Puritan name, revived briefly in the 1970s, and has been outside the US top 1000 since the 2000s. It remains common in Nigeria and Ghana, where mission-school naming kept the full virtue set alive.
Cherry is the short form that most changes its register. Three syllables want one (Charity Rose, Charity Fern). On our vibe map it is Heirloom with Vintage Elegant behind it.
More Latin names
Charity sits in our Latin set — these share its roots.
All Latin names →Charity — common questions
Is Charity a boy or girl name?
Charity is traditionally a girl name of Latin origin.
What does the name Charity mean?
Charity means “charity, selfless love” of Latin origin. Charity translates Latin caritas, which in the theological sense means selfless love rather than almsgiving — the third and greatest of the theological virtues in the King James rendering of First Corinthians. The modern narrowing to donation has done the name no favours.
Where does the name Charity come from?
Charity is Latin in origin. It was a standard Puritan name, revived briefly in the 1970s, and has been outside the US top 1000 since the 2000s. It remains common in Nigeria and Ghana, where mission-school naming kept the full virtue set alive.
What are common nicknames for Charity?
Chari and Cherry — the short-forms parents most often use for Charity.
How popular is Charity?
Charity did not make the top 1,000 girls' names in US Social Security Administration data for 2025, which makes it genuinely rare in the US.
Bring the name into the room
A couple of nice things named Charity you might want for the nursery.