Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Carys
GirlWelsh· “love”
- Meaning
- love
- Origin
- Welsh
- Pronunciation
- KAR-ihs
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #4,375
- US babies 2025
- 32
- Best rank
- #1,227 (2006)
- Peak year
- 2006
Meaning and origin of Carys
Carys is a Welsh name that means “love”.
Carys is a Welsh name derived from the word câr, meaning love, with a sense of loved one. It shares its root with cariad, the Welsh word for love or darling, still a common term of affection in Wales. Carys is a relatively modern name in Welsh usage, appearing in the twentieth century, and has since become well established in Wales and beyond. It has a warm, gentle sound and an affectionate meaning. Cari is a natural nickname, and the name sits comfortably beside other Welsh favorites such as Cerys, Megan and Seren.
Popularity over time
Carys first appears in US Social Security records in 1991. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,227 in 2006, the same year it reached its highest count of 196 babies. In 2025, 32 babies were named Carys, and it ranked #4,375 nationally. That is 61% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #5,748 in 2000, #1,799 in 2010, and #4,375 in 2025. Of the 2,327 US girls named Carys since records began, 48% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 933 babies. Since 2010, 1,122 more have been named Carys.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Jania, Melia, Cienna, Janaya, and Lilyan.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Carys is usually pronounced KAR-ihs, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with C and ends in “-ys”.
Middle names for Carys
A few middle names that flow with Carys: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Carys
Similar names
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Lists that include Carys
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Carys mean?
Carys is a Welsh name that means “love”.
What is the origin of the name Carys?
Carys has Welsh roots. Carys is a Welsh name derived from the word câr, meaning love, with a sense of loved one.
Is Carys a popular name?
Not especially. Carys ranked #4,375 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Carys a boy or girl name?
Carys is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Carys?
Carys is usually pronounced KAR-ihs. 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