Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Carter
BoyEnglish· “transporter of goods by cart”
- Meaning
- transporter of goods by cart
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- KAHR-tur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #45
- US babies 2025
- 6,024
- Best rank
- #24 (2015)
- Peak year
- 2015
Meaning and origin of Carter
Carter is an English name that means “transporter of goods by cart”.
Carter is an English occupational surname for a person who transported goods by cart or wagon. The word cart has roots in Old Norse and Old English. As a surname it is borne by Howard Carter, the archaeologist who found the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922, and by Jimmy Carter, a president of the United States. As a first name Carter grew quickly in recent decades, part of a larger trend toward occupational names such as Mason, Hunter and Parker. It sounds crisp, friendly and practical. Carter is used mostly for boys and occasionally for girls, and it pairs well with traditional middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Karter.
Popularity over time
Carter first appears in US Social Security records in 1881. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 142 different years, starting in 1881. Its best national rank was #24 in 2015, the same year it reached its highest count of 10,814 babies. In 2025, 6,024 babies were named Carter, and it ranked #45 nationally. That is 44% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #636 in 1920, #515 in 1950, #924 in 1980, #152 in 2000, #48 in 2010, and #45 in 2025. Of the 206,833 US boys named Carter since records began, 46% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 52,320 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Luke, Sebastian, Owen, Jaxon, and Nolan.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Carter ranked highest in Wyoming, West Virginia, and New Hampshire.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | #7 | 16 |
| West Virginia | #15 | 52 |
| New Hampshire | #16 | 47 |
| Delaware | #16 | 27 |
| Arkansas | #18 | 80 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 95% of US babies named Carter over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Carter is usually pronounced KAHR-tur, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with C and ends in “-er”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Karter.
Middle names for Carter
A few middle names that flow with Carter: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Carter
Similar names
Cooper Boy
KOO-pur
“barrel maker” · English
#27
Walker Boy
WAW-kur
“cloth fuller” · English
#78
Archer Boy
AR-cher
“bowman” · English
#98
Hunter Boy
HUHN-tur
“hunter” · English
#130
Tyler Boy
TY-lur
“tile maker” · English
#220
Parker Unisex
PAHR-kur
“park keeper” · English
#102
Sawyer Unisex
SAW-yur
“one who saws wood” · English
#122
Ryder Boy
RY-dur
“horseman, rider” · English
#133
River Unisex
RIH-vur
“river” · English
#111
Tucker Boy
TUH-kur
“cloth fuller” · English
#181
Jasper Boy
JAS-pur
“treasurer; also a gemstone” · Persian
#129
Tanner Boy
TA-nur
“leather tanner” · English
#475
Lists that include Carter
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Carter mean?
Carter is an English name that means “transporter of goods by cart”.
What is the origin of the name Carter?
Carter has English roots. Carter is an English occupational surname for a person who transported goods by cart or wagon.
Is Carter a popular name?
Yes. Carter ranked #45 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Carter a boy or girl name?
Carter is mainly a boy's name. About 95% of US babies named Carter over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Carter?
Carter is usually pronounced KAHR-tur. 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