Charles is a masculine given name, the English and French form of a Germanic name first recorded in the Anglo-Saxon period as Cearl or Ceorl, as the name of king Cearl of Mercia.
The corresponding Old Norse form is Carl, the German form is Karl. The name was notably borne by Charlemagne (Charles the Great), and was at the time Latinized as Karolus (as in Vita Karoli Magni), later also as Carolus.
Read more about Charles: Etymology, Derived Feminine Names, Regional Forms of The Name, Other Uses of The Name