babyname.clubMy shortlist0

Unisex · English occupational name

Carter

“transporter of goods by cart”

Say it KAR-terPronunciation may vary by region.

See your shortlist ↗

A little maybe, saved for later.

The story behind the name

Meet Carter.

Carter is an English occupational surname for someone who transported goods by cart. Its history belongs with trade-based names rather than place names, even though both kinds of surnames are now used as first names.

The two-syllable pronunciation has a firm opening and an unstressed ending. Carter is used for both boys and girls in the current US records, with the exact breakdown shown in the popularity section.

6 lettersEnglish origins ↗

A little perspective

How popular is Carter?

United States · 2025
Girls · 2025#454679 recorded births
Boys · 2025#456,024 recorded births

Recorded US births over time

2014202510,8140
● Girls● Boys
View the numbers behind the chart
YearCategoryUS rankBirths
2025Boys456,024
2025Girls454679
2024Boys466,289
2024Girls508605
2023Boys485,878
2023Girls510594
2022Boys476,361
2022Girls550553
2021Boys397,205
2021Girls501622
2020Boys337,577
2020Girls515587
2019Boys308,682
2019Girls514611
2018Boys249,385
2018Girls479655
2017Boys249,833
2017Girls520602
2016Boys2610,220
2016Girls457703
2015Boys2410,814
2015Girls539581
2014Boys2710,691
2014Girls790355

Rankings are calculated separately for boys and girls. Records below the publication threshold may be missing; gaps are not zero births.

A few ways to make it theirs.

Nicknames

No nicknames are listed yet. The name can stand beautifully on its own.

Variations & related forms

We haven’t added verified variations for this spelling yet.

Keep the possibilities coming

If you love Carter…

More names with a similar feeling or shared roots.