Why is Charlie short for Charles if they are both the same number of letters?

Answer 1

It's a diminutive. Like "Johnny", "Freddie", etc. It gives the meaning "little" to a word.

It's quite common - for instance the Dutch have a diminutive for just about everything; "Brod" is bread, "brodie" is a roll.

Answer 2

Charlie isn't short for Charles, it's a variation of the name Charles, which can be both an name independently, or a nickname for Charles. Charlie is more informal than Charles, hence the variation.

Answer 3

Peppermint Patty always calls Charlie Brown Chuck.

Answer 4

Its more informal than charles. Charles is harder to pronounce unless you have had grammatical lessons to improve the way you talk. It isnt short for charles, its just a quicker amd more friendly way of saying it.

Answer 5

Chuck is short for Charles.
Charlie is just a variation of Charles.

Answer 6

I believe Chuck is short for Charlie.

Answer 7

It isn't "short" for Charles. It's an affectionate or informal form of the name.

Answer 8

Charlie is easier to say, and sounds friendlier. If you want something shorter, try "Chuck"

Answer 9

It's not a short version, but a 'diminutive'.
There are good examples in other languages;
e.g. Spanish "Carlito" is diminutive of Carlo
e.g. Dutch "Anneke" is diminutive of Anne

Answer 10

it is so much easier to say! my cousin charles insists that we call him charles, not charlie (or chazza) and charles is a name that sort of goes 'chahales'. it's tricky to get off your tongue.