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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Carter — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Cartel|Carterlee
English◈ Unisex · 56% boy · 44% girl→ Stable

◈= unisex (gender-neutral)

Carter

◈

KAR-ter · 2 syllables

Share Carter:
Compare with another name
Boy
#45
→ Stable
Boy
#45
Popularity score: 62
→ Stable
Peak
#33 in 2020
5yr
+3 ranks
Velocity
+3
Birth frequency
17.4 per 10,000 births
Girl
#507
Popularity score: 37
→ Stable
Peak
#500 in 2021
5yr
+3 ranks
Velocity
+3
Birth frequency
1.7 per 10,000 births

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

BOY
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #45 · Falling since 2020

All US boy names
Top 200 boy names
English boy names
Carter

Popularity score: 62  ·  SSA Rank: #45

GIRL
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #507 · Rising since 2020

All US girl names
Top 200 girl names
English girl names
Carter

Popularity score: 37  ·  SSA Rank: #507

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
60
Classic name. Score reflects popularity — see Popularity tab for full context.
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
→ Stable
+3 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Unknown
— · — · —
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
40
0 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class

Carter scores well on meaning depth but there are tradeoffs — it's a well-known name in this region.

Meaning Depth37% of score
87
Name Trend28% of score
44
Uniqueness20% of score
40
Feasibility15% of score
50

Scores are percentile-ranked across 43,000+ names.

Name DNA
EnglishOccupationalModernUnisex2-syllableSurname-as-given-nameTrending
Character
practical resourcefulnessindependent spirit
People with this name

Qualities shared by notable Carters

resilientcompassionateambitiousinnovativevisionary
STRONG
High confidence

Carter is an English unisex name with steady SSA rankings. It ranked #45 in the US in 2024.

Trend:→ Stable · +3 ranks
Feasibility:— · — · —
Popularity:#45 · common
Carter at a Glance
Meaning:One who operates a cart or transports goods by cart. Originally an occupational surname that became a given name in modern usage.
Language root:Middle English · Old English
Peak rank:#33 in 2020
5yr change:+3 ranks
Sex usage:Boy #45 · Girl #507
Notable bearers
Carter Page
Former Trump campaign advisor
Carter Hart
NHL goaltender
Carter Russell
Basketball player
Carter Vanderbilt Cooper
Son of Gloria Vanderbilt (given as first name)
Similar Sound
Parker◈Jasper◈Harper◈Archer◈Barker
Similar Style
Parker◈Harper◈Cooper◈Hunter◈Morgan◈River◈
Works well with
Parker◈Harper◈Morgan◈Riley◈Rowan◈Sawyer◈Avery◈Skyler◈
You Might Also Like
Cooper◈
English · #50
→ Stable
Hunter◈
English · #128
→ Stable
River◈
English · #112
→ Stable
Jack
English · #15
→ Stable
Hudson
English · #22
→ Stable
Jackson
English · #35
→ Stable
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Carter illustration
Name Intelligence
Carter · Overview
Summary

Carter is an English unisex name with steady SSA rankings. It ranked #45 in the US in 2024.

Search interest: 25/100 ↓ Fading

Strengths
Strong fundamentals
Carter scores 60/100 on the Namesake scale — meaning, origin, and trend all contribute positively.
Works for any sex
56% boy · 44% girl. A genuinely unisex name is rare at this level of distinctiveness.
Modern · Strong character
Carter carries a grounded, cool quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Already in the top 100
At rank #45, you will likely encounter other Carters. Consider whether that matters to you.
Explore

Add to watchlists or your list with + Save next to the name above.

Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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