Charis \ch(a)-ris\ as a girl's name is pronounced KARE-iss. It is of Greek origin, and the meaning of Charis is "grace". From "kharis". The form Charissa was first used by Spenser for a character in his poem "The Faerie Queene" (16th century). Charis was first used as a given name in the 17th century, probably to symbolize the Christian concept of charity. Mythology: a reference to the Three Graces (Greek "kharites"), symbols of womanly beauty, charm, and inspiration. The graces were Aglais (brilliance), Thalia (flowering), and Euphrosyne (joy). The variants of this name and those of Carissa (see Cara) and Carys are similar. American actress and dancer Cyd Charisse.
Charis has 27 variant forms: Caressa, Carisa, Carisia, Carisse, Carrissa, Chareese, Charesa, Charese, Chari, Charice, Charie, Charisa, Charise, Charish, Charisha, Charissa, Charisse, Charista, Charysse, Cherise, Karas, Karis, Karisa, Karissa, Karisse, Karrisa and Sherisa.
For more information, see also related names Caresse, Charisma, Sharise, Cha- and Charity.