Carter

Pronunciation: [ k-AHRT-er ]

Girl Name #506 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

Strong, unisex, unmistakably modern

American English

Modern Bold Strong Minimalist Unique

Meaning & Origin

"transporter of goods by cart"

Origin: Old French/English

Language: Middle English

Things to Know About This Name

Primarily a male surname-name — some may push back on using it for a girl, and she may face constant gender assumption errors
Strongly associated with President Jimmy Carter which may create political connotations

The Story of Carter

Carter is an occupational surname from the Old French 'caretier' and Middle English 'cartere,' referring to someone who transports goods by cart. Like many occupational surnames, it crossed into first-name use in the 20th century and has recently surged for both boys and girls as the unisex surname-name trend accelerated.

Carter for girls has risen sharply in the 2010s and 2020s as parents embrace strong, traditionally male surnames for daughters — following the Harper and Parker trajectory. Beyoncé's daughter Blue Ivy's full name Blue Ivy Carter likely gave it a boost.

In America, Carter is associated with the presidential family name and the broader cultural move toward gender-neutral naming.

Fun Facts

Carter entered the top 10 for boys in the US in 2021.
Blue Ivy Carter, daughter of Beyoncé and Jay-Z, has the surname Carter as her last name.
The name has risen more than 200 ranks for girls since 2015.

Carter in Other Languages

French Carter

English Carter

Spanish Carter

Famous People Named Carter

Blue Ivy Carter

Musician

2012

Daughter of Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Grammy Award winner at age 9

Nick Carter

Musician

1980

American singer and member of the Backstreet Boys

Jimmy Carter

Politician

1924

39th President of the United States and Nobel Peace Prize winner

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #506
Total SSA Count: 604
Cultural Origins: American English
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: Low

Common Nicknames

Cari Care

Pairs Well With

Carter Grace Carter Rose Carter Elizabeth Carter Jane Carter Marie Carter Ann Carter Mae

Sibling Names

Parker Logan Hunter Harper Piper Quinn Riley

Also a Boy Name

Carter is also used as a boy name, ranked #45.

View Carter as a boy name →

Similar Names

Porter Spencer Walker Palmer Carter Harper Tucker Parks

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Carter

What does the name Carter mean?

"transporter of goods by cart" (from Old French/English). Carter is an occupational surname from the Old French 'caretier' and Middle English 'cartere,' referring to someone who transports goods by cart. Like many occupational surnames, it crossed into first-name use in the 20th century and has recently surged for both boys and girls as the unisex surname-name trend accelerated.

What is the origin of the name Carter?

Carter has Old French/English, American, and English origins. In Old French/English, it means "transporter of goods by cart".

Is Carter a boy or girl name?

Carter is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #506. As a boy name, it is ranked #45. Carter is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Carter?

Carter is pronounced k-AHRT-er.

How popular is the name Carter?

Carter is currently ranked #506 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Carter?

Common nicknames for Carter include Cari and Care.

What are good middle names for Carter?

Popular middle name pairings include Carter Grace, Carter Rose, Carter Elizabeth, Carter Jane, Carter Marie, Carter Ann, and Carter Mae.

What are good sibling names for Carter?

Names that pair well with Carter as siblings include Parker, Logan, Hunter, Harper, Piper, Quinn, and Riley.

How many syllables does Carter have?

Carter has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Carter a common or rare name?

Carter is moderately common, ranked #506 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Carter

Carter is a girl name with American and English origins . The name means "transporter of goods by cart" in Old French/English .

Is Carter a boy or girl name? Carter is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #506 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #45. Carter is more commonly used as a boy name.

Carter is currently ranked #506 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Carter has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-AHRT-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Carter include Cari and Care. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.