Carter
Carter is an English occupational surname that originated from the job of transporting goods by cart. It has evolved into a popular first name with a strong, professional feel that maintains its working-class roots.
Current Popularity
#45 for boys
in the United States (2024)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •Easy to spell and pronounce across English-speaking countries
- •Works well in professional settings due to its surname origin
- •Pairs nicely with both traditional and modern middle names
- •Has a strong, straightforward sound with no pronunciation confusion
Similar Names
Famous People
Carter Beauford
Drummer for Dave Matthews Band
Carter Oosterhouse
TV host and carpenter
Carter Jenkins
Actor
Carter G. Woodson
Historian known as 'Father of Black History'
Statistics
200,762
Total births since 1880
2015
Peak year
Discovery
Keep exploring
Use these paths to keep browsing instead of backing out into a blank search.
Rising now
Browse trending names
See names climbing fastest right now.
Always popular
Explore timeless classics
Find names that have stayed strong for decades.
For this gender
See all-time favorites
Jump into the broadest popularity list.
Stories
Read famous-name profiles
Follow cultural stories that shaped naming trends.
Guides
Browse recent articles
Move from inspiration into editorial advice.