Skip to content
Name Lineage

    The first name Charmian

    A girl’s name from Greek meaning “joy”.

    3 syllables Female

    Meaning and origin

    Greek origin

    Charmian means “joy” in Greek.

    Diminutive form of Ancient Greek χάρμα (khárma, “joy”). According to Plutarch, the name of a servant and advisor of Cleopatra.

    More names that mean joy.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    Charmian last appeared in the official list in 2000, given to 3 girls. It peaked in 1997, with 4 births (#3,174).

    0510 1996200020052010201520202025
    10
    babies named Charmian, 1996–2025
    #3,912
    rank in 2000
    1997
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Charmian with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Charmian at birth, 1880–2025

    In 1986, 8 girls born in the United States were named Charmian, the 7,879th most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 1970, when 18 were.

    01020 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    473
    babies named Charmian since 1880
    #7,879
    rank in 1986
    1970
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Nicknames and spellings

    Other spellings and forms

    • Charmin

    Famous people named Charmian

    4 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Charmian Carr
      American actress (1942–2016)
    • Charmian Clift
      Australian writer (1923–1969)
    • Charmian May
      English actress (1937-2002)
    • Charmian London
      American writer (1871-1955)

    More Greek girls’ names

    All 347 names of Greek origin

    Questions

    What does the name Charmian mean?
    Charmian means “joy” in Greek.
    What is the origin of the name Charmian?
    Diminutive form of Ancient Greek χάρμα (khárma, “joy”). According to Plutarch, the name of a servant and advisor of Cleopatra.
    How popular is the name Charmian?
    In 2000, 3 girls born in England and Wales were named Charmian, ranking 3,912th. Its peak was 1997, with 4 births.
    Is Charmian a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a girl's name: 100% of the 473 US babies named Charmian since 1880 were girls.
    When was Charmian most popular?
    1970 in the United States, when 18 babies were named Charmian, its highest rank at 3,448th.
    What are other spellings of Charmian?
    Charmin.