Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Carrie
GirlEnglish, Germanic· “pet form of Caroline; free man”
- Meaning
- pet form of Caroline; free man
- Origin
- English, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- KEH-ree
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,726
- US babies 2025
- 63
- Best rank
- #20 (1880)
- Peak year
- 1977
Meaning and origin of Carrie
Carrie is an English and Germanic name that is usually said to mean “pet form of Caroline; free man”.
Carrie developed as a pet form of Caroline and Carol, which trace back to Charles, from a Germanic word meaning free man. It has been used as an independent name since the nineteenth century. Theodore Dreiser's novel Sister Carrie, published in 1900, gave it a literary footing, and the actor and writer Carrie Fisher made it widely familiar. Carrie has a bright, cheerful sound and a distinctly American, slightly vintage charm. It is simple to spell and pronounce, and it pairs well with both classic and modern middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Kerry, Kari, Kerri, Cary, Carey, Carie, Kary, Karry.
Popularity over time
Carrie has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 128 different years. Its best national rank was #20 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 1977, when 8,661 were named Carrie. In 2025, 63 babies were named Carrie, and it ranked #2,726 nationally. That is 50% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #121 in 1920, #241 in 1950, #46 in 1980, #503 in 2000, #1,300 in 2010, and #2,726 in 2025. Of the 266,350 US girls named Carrie since records began, 25% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 36,079 babies. Since 2010, 1,834 more have been named Carrie.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Misty, Kristy, Mandy, and Kelly.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Carrie ranked highest in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | #1049 | 8 |
| Pennsylvania | #1429 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Carrie is usually pronounced KEH-ree, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with C and ends in “-ie”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Kerry, Kari, Kerri, and Cary.
Middle names for Carrie
A few middle names that flow with Carrie: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Carrie
Similar names
Carlie Girl
KAHR-lee
“pet form of Caroline or Carl, 'free man'” · English
#2,657
Minnie Girl
MIN-ee
“diminutive of Wilhelmina or Mary” · English
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Charlie Unisex
CHAHR-lee
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“diminutive of Mildred or Millicent” · English
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Frankie Unisex
FRANG-kee
“Frenchman; short for Frank” · English
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Hattie Girl
HAT-ee
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“bright fame; also the bird” · English
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Emmie Girl
EH-mee
“whole, universal” · English
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Lennie Unisex
LEN-ee
“pet form of Leonard, brave lion” · Germanic
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Winnie Girl
WIH-nee
“short form of Winifred or Edwina” · English
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Cassie Girl
KA-see
“short form of Cassandra” · Greek
#1,280
Jackie Unisex
JAK-ee
“short form of Jack or Jacqueline” · English
#2,163
Lists that include Carrie
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Carrie mean?
Carrie is an English and Germanic name that is usually said to mean “pet form of Caroline; free man”.
What is the origin of the name Carrie?
Carrie has English and Germanic roots. Carrie developed as a pet form of Caroline and Carol, which trace back to Charles, from a Germanic word meaning free man.
Is Carrie a popular name?
Not especially. Carrie ranked #2,726 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Carrie a boy or girl name?
Carrie is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Carrie?
Carrie is usually pronounced KEH-ree. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings