The invention relates to a negative active material, a cathode and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same. The 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 (I 1620 ) at 1620 cm -1 ranges from about 0.01 to about 0.1, a peak intensity (I 1360 ) at 1360 cm -1 ranges from about 0.05 to about 0.5, and a peak intensity (I 1580 ) at 1580 cm -1 ranges from about 0.1 to about 0.8 in a Raman spectrum of the composite carbon particle.