The nameCarter
Carter is an English surname for someone who drove a cart. It is a popular boy's name in the United States.
- Boy's name
- English and Scottish
Meaning
Carter means "cart driver, carrier", from the Middle English carte.
Origin
English and Scottish, from an occupational surname.
History
Carter has been in the American top 100 since 2004 and reached 24th place in 2015, 2017 and 2018. President Jimmy Carter made the surname widely known.
Famous people named Carter
- Carter Burwell, composer
Popularity of the name Carter
Carter in the United States
Carter was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 99,657 births over the decade, 47% of all recorded babies named Carter. Its rise began around 1996, and it peaked in 2015. Half of all babies named Carter in the United States were born before 2013, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 7,246 births a year on average, against 10,416 in the five years before.
Carter in the United Kingdom
Carter was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 7,699 births over the decade, 54% of all recorded babies named Carter. Its rise began around 2002, and it peaked in 2018. Half of all babies named Carter in the United Kingdom were born before 2018, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 755 births a year on average, against 1,125 in the five years before.
Sibling names for Carter
Names from the same generation as Carter, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Carter? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Carter with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Carter side by side with the name of your choice.
Carter in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Carter mean?
Carter means "cart driver, carrier", from the Middle English carte.
What is the origin of the name Carter?
English and Scottish, from an occupational surname.
Is Carter a girl's or a boy's name?
Carter is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Carter?
In 2024, Carter was the 46th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 6,267 births.
What are good sibling names for Carter?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Serenity, Ruby, Sadie and Evelyn for a sister, Wyatt, Parker, Colton and Jackson for a brother.
Who are famous people named Carter?
Carter Burwell, composer.