Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Karter
BoyEnglish· “cart driver”
- Meaning
- cart driver
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- KAHR-tur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #270
- US babies 2025
- 1,265
- Best rank
- #162 (2020)
- Peak year
- 2019
Meaning and origin of Karter
Karter is an English name that means “cart driver”.
Karter is a modern spelling of Carter, an English occupational surname for someone who drove or made carts. Occupational surnames like Mason, Hunter and Cooper have become popular first names, and Carter was among the most successful. The K spelling gives the name a sharper, more distinctive look while keeping the same sound. It feels energetic and down-to-earth, reflecting a practical trade. Karter is used mostly for boys, though some parents choose it for girls. It pairs well with traditional middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Carter.
Popularity over time
Karter first appears in US Social Security records in 1985. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 21 different years, starting in 2005. Its best national rank was #162 in 2020, and the most babies received it in 2019, when 2,425 were named Karter. In 2025, 1,265 babies were named Karter, and it ranked #270 nationally. That is 45% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,863 in 2000, #443 in 2010, and #270 in 2025. Of the 29,465 US boys named Karter since records began, 57% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 10,295 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Elliott, Zane, Colt, Lukas, and Holden.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Karter ranked highest in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Georgia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | #62 | 37 |
| Louisiana | #78 | 59 |
| Georgia | #119 | 96 |
| Delaware | #133 | 8 |
| South Carolina | #134 | 42 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 86% of US babies named Karter over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Karter is usually pronounced KAHR-tur, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with K and ends in “-er”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Carter.
Middle names for Karter
A few middle names that flow with Karter: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Karter
Similar names
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Tanner Boy
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“leather tanner” · English
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Spencer Boy
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“bold warrior; one who fires a gun” · Old Norse
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Chandler Unisex
CHAND-lur
“candle maker” · English
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Lists that include Karter
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Karter mean?
Karter is an English name that means “cart driver”.
What is the origin of the name Karter?
Karter has English roots. Karter is a modern spelling of Carter, an English occupational surname for someone who drove or made carts.
Is Karter a popular name?
Yes. Karter ranked #270 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Karter a boy or girl name?
Karter is mainly a boy's name. About 86% of US babies named Karter over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Karter?
Karter 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