Declining since 1985, #2,719 for girls today.
Popularity of Carrie since 1880
Babies named Carrie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1977, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Carrie's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 12,514 |
| 1890s | 14,276 |
| 1900s | 13,140 |
| 1910s | 18,067 |
| 1920s | 19,127 |
| 1930s | 12,525 |
| 1940s | 10,973 |
| 1950s | 16,179 |
| 1960s | 31,173 |
| 1970s | 66,825 |
| 1980s | 36,079 |
| 1990s | 10,315 |
| 2000s | 3,323 |
| 2010s | 1,421 |
| 2020s | 413 |
Meaning & origin
Carrie was first recorded in 1880, its peak year for the name, though it has since fallen steadily. The name was most common in Ohio and Pennsylvania in that early decade. By 2025, its rank had dropped to 2,719, with only about 1 in 25,512 girls given the name, reflecting a declining trajectory since 1985. Though no longer among the top choices, Carrie retains a classic, understated quality that appeals to parents seeking a short, familiar name rooted in English naming traditions. Its simple spelling and gentle sound make it a versatile option, blending easily with both traditional and modern sibling names.
Carrie originated as a diminutive of Caroline or Carol, which derive from the Germanic name Karl (meaning 'free man') or from the Germanic element *harja- ('army'). It has also been used as an English form of the Irish name Ciara ('dark-haired') or as a stand-alone given name since at least the 19th century. In the United States, the name appeared on the Social Security Administration's records from 1880 onward.
Where Carrie is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Carrie
Names that share Carrie's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Carrie
Names whose popularity has moved with Carrie's over the last 50 years.
