I’m trying to figure out the origin and meaning of [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]. Most websites seem to say it is [name_m]French[/name_m]. Some say it means “free man” and others say it means “petite or feminine.” Does the name have two different [name_m]French[/name_m] meanings or does one meaning belong to a different language? Can someone help clear this up for me? Considering using it for my daughter due in Feb but want to be able to explain meaning to her correctly if I choose it. 
Sorry I do not have any advice, but I would just like to second these questions and I am anxious to see if anyone has more info on this!!! 
[name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] is french form of name [name_m]Charles[/name_m] and [name_m]Charles[/name_m] comes from Charlemagne
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles
Means [name_u]Free[/name_u] [name_m]Man[/name_m]. Then [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] will mean [name_u]Free[/name_u] Woman.
Speaking strictly on the etymology behind [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f], it is considered a [name_m]French[/name_m] name due to usage, but technically does not mean any of those things in [name_m]French[/name_m]. (Direct translations would be l’homme libre [free man], petite [petite], and féminin [feminine]). However, I can see how those other name sources may have arrived at those meanings.
[name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] is the [name_m]French[/name_m] feminine diminutive whereas [name_m]Charlot[/name_m] (shar-LO) is [name_m]French[/name_m] masculine diminutive. [name_m]Both[/name_m] were diminutives from [name_m]Charles[/name_m] (SHAHRL in [name_m]French[/name_m]). The reason that [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] and [name_m]Charles[/name_m] are meaningless in [name_m]French[/name_m] is that [name_m]Charles[/name_m] is derived from an older Germanic word. I’m borrowing this explaination from behindthename.com (The top-notch resources for the etymology of names), [name_m]Charles[/name_m] comes from: From the Germanic name [name_m]Karl[/name_m], which was derived from a Germanic word which meant “man”. However, an alternative theory states that it is derived from the common Germanic element hari meaning “army, warrior”.
Sometimes baby names resources will alter the meaning to make them sound better or to match better with the quality of the name. For [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f], I can see where a name that technically means “man” with a feminine diminutive could be changed to “little, petite, and feminine.” Sounds a lot nicer, doesn’t it? Especially since that’s the kind of image that [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] conjures up.
Another interesting source for you might want if you want to read up on [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]: Charlotte | Legitimate Baby Names
[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps!
teacherma’s reply is excellent. If there was a “like” button I would use it.
Thanks ilayali! Loving names as a teen only fostered my love of etymology and sometimes that random knowledge gets some love.
It does!! Thank you!
Side question: what are your personal thoughts on the name “[name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]”. I realize it may be over used but not necessarily in my region. [name_m]Just[/name_m] curious since you have clearly spent a lot of time thinking about names!
Hahah ditto There aren’t many times I wish for a ‘like’ button on here, but this is one of them.
I’m hardly an expert on names themselves though I do come into contact with a lot of people of all ages (I am a substitute teacher in multiple school district and also work at a community college). I will say while distinctive names are interesting, there’s something to me said for classic names. With [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f], it is recognizable and easily spelled /pronunciations (outside of some folks here and there that would mispronounce even simple names). In my experience, people of all ages like when people spell and can say their name easily and this has ranged from very young children to college students.
Also, in my opinion, it’s nice to use names that provide multiple nicknames. [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] is a great name for that because there’s [name_f]Lottie[/name_f] or [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] (both have different images attached to them) in the event that she doesn’t like her full name. Also, should she want to go by [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] in the future, there are a ridiculous number of nicknames that she could use. However, I recognize that some folks aren’t nickname people, so this wouldn’t be a considering factor.
I think of [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] as a feminization of [name_m]Charles[/name_m]. So I think of the meaning of [name_m]Charles[/name_m], “free man” with the understanding that [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] is a female name. Pretty much what teacherma said so well.
[name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] is a classic combo and not one I can come up with bad things to say about.
However, it’s not my favourite feminine form of [name_m]Charles[/name_m], because I have loved [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] for a hundred years. [name_m]Even[/name_m] I, however, can admit [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] is more stylish.