Carrington

Meaning & origin

Carrington first appeared on U.S. birth certificates in 1968, as surname-as-first-name trends grew in popularity. It reached its highest usage in 2000, ranking 6,546 that year, with a peak rank of around 6,546 also in 2000 (the same overall rank). The name has since seen a steady decline in use, with a trajectory described as falling since 2000. In 2025, approximately 1 in 94,545 newborns were named Carrington, reflecting its niche but continuing presence. Unlike many surname names that concentrate in certain states, Carrington shows no top state concentrations, suggesting a broad but thin dispersion across the country. Its blend of a strong surname heritage and soft, feminine sound has likely contributed to its unisex appeal.

Carrington is an English surname originating from several place names, such as those in Greater Manchester and Lincolnshire. The place names likely combine an Old English personal name (like Cāra) with 'ing' (people of) and 'tūn' (enclosure, settlement). It first began to be used as a given name in the late 20th century, influenced by surname-as-first-name trends and possibly the character Carrington from the 1980s television series 'Dynasty' (though this specific cultural connection is debated).