U.S. Presidents and Vice Presidents

  1. Charles
    • Origin:

      French from German
    • Meaning:

      "free man"
    • Description:

      Charles derives from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "man" or "free man", and is a royal name in multiple European countries. A famous early bearer is Charlemagne, King of the Franks and Lombards and then Roman Emperor in the 8th-9th centuries.
  2. Charlie
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Charles or Charlotte
    • Meaning:

      "free man"
    • Description:

      Charlie is one of the friendly, tomboyish male nickname names--another is Sam-- now used almost as frequently for girls: in 2015, it ranked higher on the girls list than on the boys list for the first time. That makes Charlie one of the most popular unisex names around today. The name Charlie, for females, has been jumping up the charts since it reappeared, after a 50-year hibernation, in 2005.
  3. Charlotte
    • Origin:

      French, feminine diminutive of Charles
    • Meaning:

      "free man"
    • Description:

      Charlotte, the name of the young Princess of Cambridge, is the latest classic name to join Sophia, Emma, Olivia, and Isabella at the top of the popularity list. It is now among the most popular girl names in many English-speaking and European countries.
  4. Che
    • Cheney
      • Origin:

        Spelling variation of Chaney
      • Meaning:

        "oak tree"
      • Description:

        Strong, solid surname name. For many this name will be inextricably linked with former Vice President Dick Cheney - a hinderance or a virtue, depending on your political leanings.
    • Chester
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "fortress, walled town,"
      • Description:

        Chester is a comfortable, little-used teddy-bear of a name that suddenly sounds both quirky and cuddly.
    • Cleo
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "glory"
      • Description:

        Cleo, one of the few girls' names to boast the cool-yet-lively o ending, is of course short for Cleopatra, the name of one of the most powerful women in history.
    • Cleveland
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "hilly land, from the cliff"
      • Description:

        A presidential and place-name that's not a stand-out in either category.
    • Clint
      • Origin:

        English, diminutive of Clinton
      • Description:

        As flinty and steely as Mr. Eastwood.
    • Clinton
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "hilltop town"
      • Description:

        Like many names that have strong political connotations, the attractiveness of the name Clinton will be affected by your world-view. But, taking politics out of the equation, Clinton has a lovely pastoral meaning, a strong sound and a tremendously wearable nickname - Clint - all which would seem to be in its favor for at least a second thought.
    • Cole
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "swarthy, coal black"
      • Description:

        Cole -- a short name that embodies a lot of richness and depth -- has long been associated with the great songwriter Cole Porter. It's quite popular in Scotland.
    • Coolidge
      • Curt
        • Origin:

          Diminutive of Curtis
        • Meaning:

          "courteous, polite"
        • Description:

          Short and to the point, muscular and strong.
      • Curtis
        • Origin:

          French
        • Meaning:

          "courteous, polite"
        • Description:

          Curtis is an attractive if somewhat dated surname name that has been borne by several significant musicians and athletes--think Curtis Mayfield, Curtis James Jackson III--aka 50 Cent, and also director Curtis Hanson.
      • Dale
        • Origin:

          English
        • Meaning:

          "valley"
        • Description:

          A light and breezy nature name that's currently in style limbo, despite its pleasant meaning.
      • Dallas
        • Origin:

          Place name, surnamed and Irish
        • Meaning:

          "skilled"
        • Description:

          A laid-back cowboy name which feels both cool and gentle, Dallas has ranked in the US Top 500 since records began in 1880. Never super popular but surprisingly never out of style, Dallas is given to nearly 1400 boys in the US every year.
      • Dan
        • Origin:

          Hebrew
        • Meaning:

          "God is my judge"
        • Description:

          Often stands alone in Israel, but rarely here.
      • Dani
        • Origin:

          Hebrew and Italian, diminutive of Daniella, Danielle, Danita
        • Description:

          Short form occasionally used on its own, with an open and friendly androgynous quality.
      • Daniel
        • Origin:

          Hebrew
        • Meaning:

          "God is my judge"
        • Description:

          Daniel is one of only a handful of male names that sounds both classic and modern, strong yet approachable, and popular but not cliched. It also has a solid Old Testament pedigree. The only real downside: There are about 10,000 Daniels named each year, making it a less than distinctive choice.
      • Danielle
        • Origin:

          French feminine variation of Daniel, Hebrew,"God is my judge"
        • Meaning:

          "God is my judge"
        • Description:

          Along with Daniela, Michelle, Nicole, and Denise, Danielle was a big hit from the 1960s to the nineties, sitting comfortably in the Top 20 for several years. Parents then responded to its chic, sophisticated Gallic image, and though it has lost some of its sheen, it's still a widely used choice. Novelist Danielle Steele is its most well-known bearer; it's also the name of Elvis's granddaughter.