A negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery includes a composite carbon particle including a core particle including crystalline-based carbon and a coating layer positioned on the surface of the core particle and including amorphous carbon. A peak intensity (I1620) at 1620 cm−1 ranges from about 0.01 to about 0.1, a peak intensity (I1360) at 1360 cm−1 ranges from about 0.05 to about 0.5, and a peak intensity (I1580 at 1580 cm−1 ranges from about 0.1 to about 0.8 in a Raman spectrum of the composite carbon particle.