Charlotte

Charlotte is a feminine given name of French origin, the form of Charles used in many languages. It stems from the Germanic name Karl, meaning free man. The name gained popularity in Europe and the English-speaking world, in part through royal associations such as Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

As a place name, Charlotte refers to several locations. The most prominent is Charlotte, North Carolina, a major city in the southeastern United States and the seat of Mecklenburg County. It is the largest city in North Carolina by population and serves as a regional financial and transportation hub. Other places include Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands; Charlotte, Vermont, a town on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain; and Port Charlotte, a census-designated place in Charlotte County, Florida.

In cuisine, a charlotte is a dessert traditionally molded with a outer lining of ladyfingers or sponge cake and filled with custard, fruit, or mousse. The dish appears in various culinary traditions and is prepared either chilled or, in some versions, baked.

Notable bearers of the name include Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III, whose prominence in history helped popularize the name in English-speaking countries. In modern times, Charlotte is widely used across many cultures and appears in literature, film, and popular media.