Girl · 463rd of 19,264
Carey
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
29,607
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1975
Peak Popularity Year
1,058
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Carey stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Carey has its origins in Old French and Irish, with meanings related to darkness. It evolved from various historical forms through the centuries. The name is often associated with traits of creativity and individuality, and it does not have a biblical background. Its popularity surged in the 19th century and continues to be recognized in modern times.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkɛəri/
Origin
Old French, Irish
Etymology
The name Carey is derived from the Old French surname 'Cayrey,' which itself comes from a place name in Ireland. The Irish version is 'O'Cearáin', meaning 'descendant of Ceárán', with Ceárán being a diminutive of 'Cearbhall', meaning 'dark' or 'black'.
Meaning
dark, black
Language Evolution
Cearbhall, Ceárán, O'Cearáin, Cayrey
Historical Usage
The name Carey gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 19th century, particularly in Ireland and among Irish emigrants to the United States.
Variants & Derivatives
Kerry, Cary, Carys
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Carey is seen as a unisex name, often associated with creativity and individuality. It remains moderately popular in English-speaking countries.
Famous People
Carey Mulligan, Mariah Carey, Carey Price
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,058 peak births in 1975
Geographic Spread
Popular across 45 US states, with strongest presence in Georgia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 11 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 746th of 7545 | 1,215 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 648th of 6773 | 1,660 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 417th of 7552 | 6,169 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 483rd of 10718 | 4,529 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 856th of 16616 | 2,161 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2828th of 24088 | 596 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 5229th of 23106 | 214 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2520th of 9107 | 220 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2103rd of 9204 | 297 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 957th of 12526 | 2,132 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 463rd of 19264 | 7,213 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1142nd of 27321 | 2,320 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4794th of 35406 | 442 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 11425th of 30306 | 95 |