Chaz

Chaz is an English name that arose as an informal short form of Charles, which derives from the Germanic element karl, meaning man or free man. Charles itself spread widely across medieval Europe through the fame of the Frankish emperor Charlemagne and later became one of the most common given names in the English-speaking world. Chaz began appearing as an independent given name in the twentieth century, particularly in American usage. Related forms include Chad, Chuck, and Charlie, as well as the French equivalent Charles and the Spanish Carlos.