Declining since 2007, #4,352 for girls today.
Popularity of Carys since 1991
Babies named Carys per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 82 |
| 2000s | 1,123 |
| 2010s | 933 |
| 2020s | 189 |
Meaning & origin
Carys entered U.S. records in 1991 and reached its peak popularity in 2006. Since 2007, its usage has been declining. In 2025, it ranked 4352, with approximately 1 in 50,227 girls given the name. The name's modern rise reflects broader interest in Welsh names outside of Wales. While not among the most common, Carys has maintained steady, if decreasing, usage over the past two decades.
Carys is a Welsh name derived directly from the verb 'caru', meaning 'to love'. It falls into a class of Welsh abstract noun names, similar to 'Anwen' (very beautiful) and 'Gwyn' (white, blessed). The name began seeing use in Wales in the late 20th century and gained broader popularity in the 1990s and 2000s, particularly in Wales and England.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cari
Sibling names for Carys
Names that share Carys's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Gwen, Megan, Rhosyn, Sian, Lowri, Arden, Gwenn, Gwenyth, Gwyneth, Gwynne, Linley, Merideth, Morgen, Wynne, Aynsley, Bevin, Elen, Emlyn, Glenys, Meredyth, Rhian, Robyne, Seren, Siani, Wynette, Carlyon, Deryn, Eleri, Glynna, Gweneth, Gwenneth, Menna, Rhianne, Riannon, Tannis, Aneira, Anwyn, Rhiannan
Brothers: Rhys, Evan, Dylan, Ioan, Owen, Emrys, Howell, Reece, Trevor, Vaughan, Briton, Delwyn, Hughes, Lean, Parry, Rees, Calan, Garreth, Lewellyn, Madoc, Nesta, Shuan, Breece, Cambren, Larron, Morgon, Myrick
