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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Charity

57 replies

MellowMellow · 24/05/2026 11:45

Has anyone ever met a girl called Charity? Thoughts on it? It’s quite a guilty pleasure name for me because I know many will see it as downmarket, but I think it sounds like it would be the name of a very wholesome, humble, and sweet person. I normally don’t care much about the meaning of names, but I also can’t ignore the fact that it has a lovely meaning. It’s appealing to me.

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CaramacBar · 06/07/2026 13:29

Rachie1973 · 06/07/2026 12:55

I have custody of granddaughters named Faith & Hope. If I had a £ for everytime I’ve been asked ‘where’s Charity’……

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Tell them the other one's called Kevin. There was a family with Faith, Hope and Kevin apparently

Rachie1973 · 06/07/2026 12:57

astrozenica · 27/05/2026 23:40

I'm from Northern Ireland - I've never met a Charity. I don't think it's a name that's used much in Ireland (north or south).

My first impression of Charity is that it seems a bit too literally virtuous. I prefer Verity and Felicity of all the virtue names because those are rarely used words in everyday conversation. But maybe if I had a friend named Charity, the name would grow on me.

lol I also have granddaughters (sisters) called Felicity and Verity. Have begged their mother not to use Charity if there’s another lol.

Rachie1973 · 06/07/2026 12:55

CaramacBar · 24/05/2026 12:18

I had a headmistress whose first name was Charity. She retired in about 84, so maybe born in the 20s. She may have had sisters called Faith and Hope.

I have custody of granddaughters named Faith & Hope. If I had a £ for everytime I’ve been asked ‘where’s Charity’……

Daphnedolittle2 · 04/07/2026 00:18

I knew a Charity growing up. She was white English. I met her through the sport I played. She was very talented at it. At the time I remember thinking 'thats an unusual name' for all of 5 seconds and then she just became her name. I quite like it.

Amiacoolorwarmcolour · 25/06/2026 22:02

I have never met a Charity.
I like the sound of it.

patooties · 25/06/2026 21:57

I went to school with a Charity in the 80’s. She had a large facial birthmark and was in care of the local children’s home. I really liked her - and hope she had a happy life.

i also used to work with a woman from Derry who had a daughter called Churdy - it was only when I saw it written down I realised she was called Charity.
I Iove faith hope and charity

17caterpillars1mouse · 25/06/2026 21:37

I really like it, but then i love a virtue name and have a dd with one of the other more unusual virtue names mentioned in this thread. White british and not overly religious

GladHazelPoster · 14/06/2026 12:00

Ciara, Clodagh, Cara, perhaps Aisling

Calliopespa · 28/05/2026 06:41

I think Prudence, Clemency, Felicity and Constance are the nicest of the virtue names.

The others are a bit cheesy imo - especially Honor with its horrible spelling, which sounds really American to me (which is fine if you live in America I guess).

astrozenica · 27/05/2026 23:40

I'm from Northern Ireland - I've never met a Charity. I don't think it's a name that's used much in Ireland (north or south).

My first impression of Charity is that it seems a bit too literally virtuous. I prefer Verity and Felicity of all the virtue names because those are rarely used words in everyday conversation. But maybe if I had a friend named Charity, the name would grow on me.

HopefulYankee · 24/05/2026 23:30

It’s a lovely name, I like it a lot. But then, my name is Hope, so maybe that’s why I like it!

WimbleOfWombledon · 24/05/2026 23:28

I don’t really like it - makes me think straight away of charity shop.

I prefer other virtue type names - Constance, Honor, Hope or Unity

Firebird83 · 24/05/2026 23:05

I think Charity shop too.

Viviennemary · 24/05/2026 22:42

Never known one in real life. Only Charity Dingle when I used to watch Emmerdale and thats enough to put anybody off the name.

Roulett · 24/05/2026 22:41

It’s not downmarket it’s lovely

Hotandpointy · 24/05/2026 22:41

I do prefer Verity though to be honest.

Hotandpointy · 24/05/2026 22:40

I think people would get used to it quickly and it’s quite a pretty name. I know a Temperance which I originally thought was horrible but now, it’s just her name and she doesn’t seem to have been teased about it ever. There does seem to be a wider mix of names in schools these days so it’s more acceptable to be unusual.

Besidemyselfwithworry · 24/05/2026 22:23

Stoicandhappy · 24/05/2026 12:37

Charity Dingle

This!!!
it’s popular for some African families especially Nigerian going for names like charity, precious etc….
but I’m not sure myself

I know a young girl called “Justice” too and that’s another marmite name.

MayaLui · 24/05/2026 22:20

The only one I know is white British, not a hippy family, quite the opposite - conservative, upper middle class. I don't have the associations that many posters seem to have about the name, but I still wouldn't use it now just because of the usage of the term in everyday life.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 24/05/2026 22:16

Have you seen the film a simple favour with Anna Kendrick? That involves triplets - faith, hope and charity. Fun film.

Pengane · 24/05/2026 22:11

I think “shop”

superchick · 24/05/2026 21:56

I had a school friend called Charity. She would be late 40s now. White British not particularly religious but parents were fairly hippie ish. I like the name and at the time I didn't think it was anything odd.

Bri90 · 24/05/2026 21:52

I personally think it’s an awful name

BrownRedPink · 24/05/2026 21:50

I have 4 connotations of the types of people who would choose the name Charity.

  1. Religious parents
  2. (Christian) American parents
  3. (Christian) African parents
  4. Stripper stage name
Allonthesametrain · 24/05/2026 21:46

As a teacher I've known several different Charity names, all from African families. They often have second inclusive names such as Charity Mercy, Charity Queen, Princess Charity.

In Emmerdale I think i remember a eoman called Charity.

It's a beautiful word, personally I wouldn't name a DC as it will most likely be shortened to Chaz, which I don't like.