Declining since 2015, #45 for boys today.
Popularity of Carter since 1881
Babies named Carter per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 100 |
| 1890s | 134 |
| 1900s | 199 |
| 1910s | 680 |
| 1920s | 881 |
| 1930s | 863 |
| 1940s | 1,340 |
| 1950s | 1,612 |
| 1960s | 1,345 |
| 1970s | 1,359 |
| 1980s | 1,680 |
| 1990s | 9,725 |
| 2000s | 52,320 |
| 2010s | 95,261 |
| 2020s | 39,334 |
Meaning & origin
Carter defined a naming era, and that era is now receding. The name peaked in 2015 and has fallen each year since, though from such a height that it still ranked 45th in 2025, about one of every 284 boys. Its arc tracks the great surname-name wave almost exactly: rare for a century after its 1881 debut in the data, then a steep 1990s-2000s climb alongside Parker, Hunter, and Mason.
The name runs strongest in Wyoming, New Hampshire, and Delaware, small states, mostly rural or exurban, which is where the surname style has held on longest as the coasts move toward vintage and international picks. That geography is worth reading as a style signal: Carter now codes as an established 2010s name rather than a fresh one.
Its substance, though, outlasts the fashion cycle. An honest occupational meaning, the man who drove the cart, and serious American bearers like historian Carter G. Woodson give it more grounding than most of its trend-mates. Parents choosing it today get a name their son will likely share with classmates' older brothers rather than his own classmates, which some will count as a feature.
Carter is one of the classic English occupational surnames: a cartere in Middle English (reinforced by Anglo-Norman French caretier) was a man who transported goods by cart. The surname is common throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland, and crossed early to America, where it accumulated distinguished bearers from Virginia planters to President Jimmy Carter. As a first name it appears in Social Security records from 1881, following the old custom of giving family surnames as first names. It stayed uncommon until the surname-name fashion of the 1990s swept it upward; the ER character John Carter and a general taste for -er endings (Parker, Hunter, Sawyer) carried it to a peak in 2015.
Read more: Carter on Wikipedia
Where Carter is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Carter” around the world
Where Carter lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Ireland
13
babies in 2025
New Zealand
#33
in 2025
Quebec
13
babies in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#70
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cart
Variants: Karter
Famous people named Carter
- Carter G. Woodson · American historian known as the father of Black history
- Carter Glass · U.S. senator and a framer of the Federal Reserve Act
Sibling names for Carter
Names that share Carter's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Harper, Kennedy, Avery, Peyton, Emerson, Addison, Madelyn, Madison, Riley, Adalynn, Bailey, Brooklyn, Brynlee, Cassidy, Kaylee, Kenzie, London, Mackenzie, Madilyn, Mckenzie, Nevaeh, Payton, Piper, Reagan, Rylee, Rylie, Sierra, Summer, Teagan, Addyson, Ainslee, Aniston, Ansley, Aubree, Aubrie, Averie, Baily, Briella, Briley, Bristol, Brooklynn, Bryleigh, Caidence, Cailyn, Camryn, Caydence, Chanel, Charlee, Charleigh, Dalary, Ellery, Ellison, Emerie, Emmalee, Emmalyn, Gracelyn, Gracelynn, Hailee, Harmoni, Haylee, Holland, Jaidyn, Jaylah, Jaylynn, Jazlyn, Joselyn, Kailee, Kallie, Karleigh, Karlie, Kaylie, Kaylin, Kenadee, Kennedi, Legaci, Lexie, Lyric, Maci, Macie, Madalyn, Madalynn, Maddison, Madelynn, Madilynn, Madisyn, Madyson, Makenna, Marlee, Marleigh, Marley, Mckayla, Mckinley, Merritt, Miyah, Paislee, Palmer, Presley, Ryann, Ryleigh, Ryley, Tatum, Tenley, Adalee, Adilyn, Adyson, Analeigh, Arrianna, Aubri, Aubriana, Avarie, Avary, Baileigh, Bailie, Bayleigh, Bayley, Baylie, Beyonce, Brayleigh, Brooklin, Brooklynne, Brynley, Brystol, Cameryn, Cayleigh, Caylie, Chaney, Daelyn, Delani, Devine, Ellington, Emileigh, Everlyn, Gracey, Graycen, Hadleigh, Harli, Havyn, Hayven, Jacee, Jacelyn, Jazleen, Joselin, Joselynn, Journi, Kailin, Kalee, Kassidi, Kaytlynn, Keirra, Kelcie, Kenadi, Kennadi, Kennady, Kennedie, Khloee, Kinzie, Kynnedi, Lexington, Londynn, Mackenzi, Maddilyn, Madisen, Madisson, Makaylah, Makenzi, Makinley, Makyla, Malerie, Mallori, Marely, Mattison, Maycee, Maylee, Mckenzi, Mckinzie, Morghan, Nataleigh, Naveah, Paizley, Preslie, Pyper, Rainey, Rhylee, Rileigh, Rylei, Shealyn, Sydnie, Tylar, Wrenlee, Abbygayle, Adali, Addelynn, Addisen, Adysen, Alexxa, Alley, Amery, Analyse, Annslee, Armanii, Aryonna, Autymn, Avari, Averey, Avrey, Avrie, Avry, Baillie, Baley, Baylei, Bentleigh, Bradie, Braylie, Breannah, Breia, Brelyn, Brooklyne, Cadee, Caileigh, Camiyah, Camrie, Cassidie, Catera, Caylen, Cayley, Cydnee, Cydni, Cylee, Deniya, Dilynn, Dynasti, Ellasyn, Ellisyn, Emerly, Emersen, Emersynn, Emorie, Gennesis, Gracelynne, Haylea, Heavenleigh, Infiniti, Ivyonna, Jaicee, Jailee, Jasline, Jayonna, Jeniyah, Jerzee, Jlynn, Jocilyn, Journii, Kadee, Kaedence, Kaeley, Kaely, Kaileah, Kaitlan, Kamree, Karaline, Karalynn, Karra, Kathrynn, Kaytee, Keari, Keili, Kenady, Kenedi, Kenedy, Kennadee, Kennadie, Kennedee, Kennidy, Kensey, Kensi, Kerrington, Khole, Khylie, Kiandra, Kileigh, Kindle, Klarity, Kynnedy, Landrie, Logann, Mackensie, Mackenzee, Mackenzy, Mackinzie, Mackynzie, Madasyn, Maddi, Maddilynn, Maddisen, Madisynn, Madylin, Maelie, Maely, Mahayla, Mailey, Mailyn, Maisley, Makennah, Makenzee, Makinlee, Makynzie, Malarie, Malori, Mareli, Matilyn, Mayleigh, Maylie, Maylynn, Mccartney, Mckensie, Mckenzee, Mckenzy, Mckinsey, Mekenzie, Mickenzie, Mikenna, Mikeyla, Mykenzie, Myleigh, Nevayah, Paeton, Payge, Paytyn, Pressley, Quinnley, Railey, Reginae, Rhiley, Ryane, Ryla, Rylann, Ryli, Sarahy, Sayler, Shailyn, Shaylene, Skyelar, Skylan, Swayze, Sydne, Tailor, Talor, Tatem, Tayleigh, Taysia, Teyanna, Teylor, Tiyanna, Weslynn, Adaley, Adely, Adilee, Alaycia, Alexcis, Alexxus, Allisen, Allysson, Amberlin, Anberlin, Aprille, Arieonna, Arihanna, Ashlynd, Aubreana, Aubryanna, Aunesty, Avalynne, Bailei, Baili, Bentlie, Berklee, Brielynn, Brooklen, Brooklinn, Caeleigh, Cambell, Camber, Caniyah, Cassity, Caylynn, Chaela, Charlye, Cheney, Chyler, Cianni, Ciearra, Dashley, Deziyah, Ellary, Emrey, Emryn, Finleigh, Gracelin, Hailea, Haillie, Halleigh, Jaeleen, Jaielle, Jakelyn, Jalie, Jannely, Jaycelyn, Jazzlin, Jerney, Joanny, Jocee, Jossalyn, Josselin, Kadance, Kalleigh, Karmin, Kaydince, Kayelyn, Kaylanni, Keisi, Kendle, Kenedee, Kennidi, Kevia, Keyly, Keysi, Khiley, Kiarrah, Kinzy, Kirbie, Kloey, Koryn, Kynlei, Kynnadi, Kynzie, Lanee, Lavaeh, Laveah, Layce, Laycie, Layonna, Legacee, Leighana, Leniyah, Lexey, Lexii, Lexxi, Lundon, Lundyn, Mackenize, Macyn, Madilyne, Madisan, Madysin, Maicee, Maille, Makaylynn, Makenze, Makynzi, March, Matilynn, Mckenize, Mckenley, Merly, Mikaylee, Mikenzie, Mileigh, Mkenzie, Nevah, Paije, Peytin, Peytyn, Pieper, Quincee, Quinci, Raeleigh, Raygan, Reagen, Reagyn, Reigan, Reighlynn, Remmie, Rhyen, Rhylin, Riely, Rielyn, Rileyann, Rilie, Samary, Savannha, Schylar, Shyler, Sidnie, Skiler, Sydny, Taeler, Taytem, Zayley, Andelyn, Ashleah, Brehanna, Bryona, Emeryn, Emmersen, Fayelynn, Karalina, Kennley, Mckenzey, Mckinzey, Meckenzie, Mylynn, Abbagale, Abrey, Adasyn, Addalie, Addalynne, Addilyne, Addilynne, Addysyn, Adisson, Aizley, Alaysiah, Aliahna, Aliceson, Ambry, Anaysha, Areyanna, Armahni, Arrionna, Arryana, Aubrianne, Aubriee, Aubrii, Avannah, Avarey, Avenly, Baeleigh, Baylynn, Braelynne, Brenlynn, Bryella, Cadey, Cadince, Caedence, Caliegh, Camaryn, Cambreigh, Camera, Camyah, Candence, Carizma, Carlynn, Cassadi, Caylei, Caylor, Chandlar, Crislyn, Danilyn, Dejha, Delainy, Deyjah, Dylynn, Dynastee, Ellason, Elsey, Emjay, Emmry, Emylie, Enijah, Everliegh, Hailynn, Hatley, Heiley, Henessy, Heyli, Hopelynn, Icesis, Jackalynn, Jaidence, Jaiyanna, Jakenzie, Jannelly, Jaxie, Jaylea, Jayli, Jeily, Jennessy, Jersee, Jessabelle, Joelys, Johnay, Journe, Journeigh, Jozalyn, Jozey, Jurney, Jylian, Kadey, Kaelei, Kahlie, Kaisy, Kalayla, Kamdynn, Karne, Kaytlen, Keamber, Keiarah, Kember, Kenedie, Kenidy, Kennidee, Kerly, Khilee, Khyli, Kinslei, Knightley, Kopelynn, Kyarah, Kyilee, Kyndahl, Lexandra, Londan, Lyndzie, Mackenzey, Mackenzye, Mackinze, Macklyn, Maddalynn, Madicyn, Madisin, Madissen, Maekayla, Maicy, Mairely, Makailyn, Makenize, Makensey, Makenzey, Makinna, Makinze, Massey, Matelyn, Matison, Mattelyn, Matteson, Mayerli, Mckenzye, Mckinzy, Meritt, Mialynn, Mikenzi, Milayna, Morgin, Myalynn, Mykenna, Mykenzi, Parys, Presly, Promiss, Rayli, Rayni, Reagann, Rhylei, Rocklyn, Ryliee, Sarinity, Saryiah, Savanha, Savhanna, Shailah, Sierria, Skyeler, Skylene, Stassi, Taleigh, Tayelor, Taylie, Tayllor, Terriah, Trinnity, Tylani, Vannah, Wakely, Zamyiah
Brothers: Parker, Mason, Hudson, Sawyer, Grayson, Jackson, Jayden, Landon, Logan, Owen, Ashton, Bentley, Blake, Braxton, Brayden, Caiden, Camden, Carson, Chandler, Colby, Conner, Connor, Dallas, Dalton, Greyson, Harrison, Hayden, Hunter, Jefferson, Kaden, Kingston, Major, Marshall, Porter, Ryder, Skyler, Tanner, Tucker, Weston, Zander, Zane, Baker, Beckham, Booker, Callen, Carver, Chadwick, Channing, Colson, Cullen, Destin, Draven, Fischer, Fisher, Fletcher, Ford, Foster, Gardner, Garrison, Gunner, Houston, Jax, Jaxsen, Jennings, Jorden, Junior, Kadin, Kaison, Kamden, Karsen, Kashton, Kendell, Kiefer, Koby, Kole, Layton, Maison, Marshal, Mayson, Miller, Nixon, Rogers, Shelton, Shepard, Shepherd, Thatcher, Tillman, Truman, Turner, Walker, Xzavier, Bently, Braylin, Brewer, Bryar, Carsen, Cartier, Cayce, Chancellor, Charlton, Collier, Copeland, Corben, Decker, Gavino, Granger, Greysen, Haden, Hampton, Haydon, Jakobi, Jaxxon, Jayven, Jayvion, Jourdan, Kadyn, Kaidyn, Kaisen, Kase, Kayleb, Keller, Kellin, Kemper, Kolin, Kooper, Kyng, Kyrin, Kyzer, Larson, Lathan, Ledger, Leyton, Linkin, Newman, Parks, Patton, Pearson, Price, Quincey, Reynolds, Rhyder, Rider, Sanders, Schuyler, Shayden, Skylor, Slater, Stevens, Thompson, Usher, Wheeler, Aalijah, Aaric, Aarion, Andruw, Banner, Bayler, Beckam, Braidyn, Caeleb, Camaron, Cartez, Caydin, Chancelor, Chanler, Chapman, Cheston, Cobey, Cobie, Connar, Coulson, Cutler, Cuyler, Dillyn, Donaven, Draper, Findley, Fuller, Glover, Hatcher, Hawkins, Hoover, Hunner, Jacion, Jacksen, Jaiven, Jakobie, Jakson, Jamerson, Jaymeson, Jayren, Jeter, Jeyson, Jostin, Kaedon, Kaeson, Kamdon, Kameren, Karver, Kendry, Keyton, Khyler, Kierre, Koltin, Korban, Kowen, Lander, Layten, Linken, Maddon, Makel, Markis, Maynor, Nathyn, Nichols, Ostin, Parish, Patterson, Princeston, Quintyn, Reily, Renner, Rhyker, Roper, Sayer, Sheppard, Stryder, Styles, Syler, Tallon, Taner, Trapper, Treavor, Trystin, Tysean, Waylin, Weaver, Westly, Whitaker, Xayden, Yostin, Zaedyn, Zavien, Aamari, Aidenn, Anthonee, Armany, Armour, Becker, Brayant, Brewster, Bricen, Butler, Cannen, Caton, Caydon, Coleby, Coleston, Daivion, Domanik, Dray, Everson, Exzavier, Fowler, Gotham, Graceson, Grason, Greycen, Heyden, Hodges, Hutchinson, Jadriel, Jakaden, Jakaiden, Jaxsin, Jaxyn, Jayco, Jermari, Jourden, Kailor, Kallin, Kamaron, Karder, Kaynen, Kendarious, Khaden, Kindred, Kishon, Korver, Kyliam, Latavius, Linkon, Livingston, Majour, Masson, Maveryck, Maycol, Myers, Nashton, Nickolis, Nickson, Paxten, Perrion, Pharell, Romney, Ryer, Ryle, Sadler, Schneider, Schyler, Snyder, Stokes, Tannor, Teller, Thomson, Tiler, Travers, Tyion, Whyatt, Wilkes, Wyatte, Zaevion, Zakkery, Zakry, Zyler, Briggston, Caeson, Carrson, Kaiyden, Aidenjames, Bailor, Bairon, Benett, Bingham, Brayam, Brexten, Bryker, Bryse, Calden, Camdan, Cardale, Casin, Caster, Catcher, Chaden, Coben, Coulton, Damarie, Dessiah, Finnlee, Gardiner, Garison, Goldman, Grainger, Grayton, Hollister, Hooper, Huxson, Jacksyn, Jaece, Jameison, Jaqualyn, Jaxzen, Jerrit, Jeycob, Jourdon, Joyner, Kadian, Kahner, Kastin, Kaydenn, Keiler, Keyner, Khrystian, Kingjames, Knolan, Kohner, Kuper, Kymeir, Linkoln, Mclaren, Naythen, Rykker, Seager, Sheriff, Skylur, Sneijder, Sutter, Swanson, Tannar, Traeger, Tryson, Tyner, Waller, Winchester, Xhaiden
Names like Carter
Names whose popularity has moved with Carter's over the last 50 years.

