Boy · 31st of 23,106
Carter
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
210,119
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2015
Peak Popularity Year
11,395
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Carter 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 'Carter' has its roots in Old French, meaning 'transporter of goods.' It evolved from 'cartier' in Old French to 'carter' in Middle English and is now widely used in Modern English. The name is characterized by a sense of practicality and has no biblical relevance. It gained popularity as a surname in medieval times before becoming a first name in the 20th century, and it is currently perceived as a trendy choice. Notable individuals with this name include former President Jimmy Carter and jazz singer Bette Carter.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkɑːrtər/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name 'Carter' originates from the Old French word 'cartier,' which means 'one who transports goods by cart.' The surname became popular in England after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.
Meaning
transporter of goods
Language Evolution
Old French: cartier, Middle English: carter, Modern English: Carter
Historical Usage
Carter gained popularity as a surname in medieval England and eventually transitioned into a first name in the 20th century. It has seen a rise in use as a given name in recent years.
Variants & Derivatives
Cart, Carty
Modern Popularity & Image
Carter is currently viewed as a modern and trendy name, often associated with creativity and individuality. It has a positive connotation and is popular among new parents.
Famous People
Jimmy Carter - 39th President of the United States, Bette Carter - American jazz singer, John Carter - American author and creator of the Barsoom series
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Consistently Rising
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 11,395 peak births in 2015
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
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 3 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 | 637th of 7545 | 1,580 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 635th of 6773 | 1,697 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 605th of 7552 | 2,958 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 714th of 10718 | 2,107 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 488th of 16616 | 6,031 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 81st of 24088 | 83,648 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 31st of 23106 | 102,476 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 6300th of 9107 | 25 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 5743rd of 9204 | 36 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 5308th of 12526 | 102 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 6026th of 19264 | 128 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 3419th of 27321 | 472 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1745th of 35406 | 1,828 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 550th of 30306 | 6,766 |