Carter
Gender: Mostly Boy
Meaning: Cart driver; transporter of goods
Origin: Old English and Old French occupational surname — from cartier (one who drives a cart)
Popularity: Ranked #45 in 2025 with 6,024 babies born.
History: Carter is an occupational surname that became a first-name sensation in the 2000s. President Jimmy Carter gave it political recognition, but its modern popularity as a first name is driven by the surname-name trend that swept American naming from the 1990s onward. Carter entered the U.S. top 50 by 2012 and top 25 by 2016. It has a strong, clipped sound with an all-American, hardworking character. Jay-Z's real surname being Carter — and his son going by the name — added a hip-hop dimension to its cultural profile.
Famous people named Carter: Jimmy Carter (president), Carter Hart (hockey player)
Name length: 6 letters
How common is Carter? About 1 in 497 babies born in 2025 were named Carter, or roughly 18.4 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Carter
What does the name Carter mean?
Carter means “Cart driver; transporter of goods” from Old English and Old French occupational surname — from cartier (one who drives a cart) roots.
What is the origin of the name Carter?
Carter has Old English and Old French occupational surname — from cartier (one who drives a cart) origin. The traditional meaning is “Cart driver; transporter of goods”.
How popular is Carter?
Carter ranked #45 in 2025 — given to 6,024 babies that year.
When was Carter most popular?
Carter peaked in 2015 with 10,814 babies registered that year.
Is Carter a boy or girl name?
Carter is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Carters in registered births are male.
Is the name Carter rising or falling in popularity?
Carter has risen 469 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #514 in 2020 to #45 in 2025.
How long has Carter been recorded?
Carter appears in birth records across 144 years — from 1881 through 2025.