MallowbyNames

Carter

KAR-tur · An English occupational surname for someone who drove or made carts, from Middle English cartere.

2025 rank (boys)
#45
Babies named in 2025
6,024
Peak popularity
2015
2025 frequency
1 in 284 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Declining since 2015

Declining since 2015, #45 for boys today.

Popularity of Carter since 1881

Babies named Carter per year in U.S. Social Security records.

3.6k7.2k10.8k192019602000Most births 2015Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1880s100
1890s134
1900s199
1910s680
1920s881
1930s863
1940s1,340
1950s1,612
1960s1,345
1970s1,359
1980s1,680
1990s9,725
2000s52,320
2010s95,261
2020s39,334

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.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k boystoo few 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

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.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

C is for Carter, our favorite little boy.

C is for Carter…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Carter's letter becomes Carter's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Carter's book

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Questions parents ask

What does Carter mean?
Carter is an English occupational surname meaning a person who drove or made carts. Like Mason and Cooper, it names a trade rather than a quality.
How popular is Carter?
Carter ranked 45th for boys in 2025, given to about one in every 284 boys. It peaked in 2015 and has been sliding gently since.
Is Carter used for girls?
Primarily a boys' name, Carter sees some use for girls as part of the broader unisex-surname trend, though the boys' total remains far larger.
What sibling names pair well with Carter?
Fellow surname names keep the register consistent: Parker, Hudson, Sawyer, or Grayson for a brother; Harper, Avery, Kennedy, or Emerson for a sister.