The name Carter is a boy's name of English origin meaning "transporter of goods by cart". Carter is ranked #24 on our popularity charts and is often added to lists like Baby Names Headed for Harvard and discussed in our forums with posts like "The middle name game (with a twist)!".
From the experts:
Carter has been popular for almost two decades, but it only cracked the Top 30 in 2014, leaving the other upscale occupational surname names behind. Having hot characters named Carter on both Gossip Girl and The OC probably didn't hurt, and for fifteen years on ER" Noah Wyle's Dr. John Carter was always called by his last name. Carter also, of course, has presidential cred.
Carter is especially popular in the Midwest, having recently been Number 2 in Nebraska and Number 3 in Iowa, as well as spreading north to Canadian provinces Saskatchewan (recently Number 2) and Manitoba (recently Number 5).
Lists containing Carter:
- Baby Names Headed for Harvard
- Alternatives to Parker
- Surname Favorites
- Presidential Baby Names
- Names to Substitute for Carter
- Alternatives to Jordan
- Occupational Baby Names
- Designer Baby Names
- Patriotic Baby Names
- Top Unisex Names On Nameberry
- Pilgrim Names
Carter in Blog Posts
Comments
ILoveBabyNames123 Says:
NameLover 11 Says:
i really like this.
Alaina Says:
This is my friend's name. And I think it suits him perfectly!
LV51sfan91 Says:
I Dont get this one. Someone who pushes carts. Wow that's special!
Hailey Says:
I knew too many young Carters when I was working at a preschool, so to me it's been done to death. Plus I always think of Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, :-)
Theodora_Phoenix Says:
I saw a girl Cooper on a video once. I was amazed, because I didn't think anyone named their girl Cooper. Of course, it's still a boy name, though. Strange how much she fit her name, though.
Guest Says:
The only female Carters I've heard as character names on tv. But somehow it's in the Top 1000 for girls. Oh well. It's definitely better than Cooper for a girl lmao
helpmechoose Says:
It's a nice boy name. I agree with another poster, horrible girls name.
SparkleNinja18 Says:
I've never met a female Carter and the name is very masculine to me. I could never see a girl named Carter.
KateMP91 Says:
The first few Carters that I met were all female. They are all in their early twenties now...and their names have always suited them well!
Theodora_Phoenix Says:
Yes.. Carter is much better for a boy. Occupational names are ridiculous on girls. I dislike Carter more for a girl.
SparkleNinja18 Says:
I love the name Carter... It's modern and masculine. I can't comprehend why anyone would want to name their daughter Carter.
Theodora_Phoenix Says:
Maybe not for me but it's alright.
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Wel, he's not my friend anymore, He's an idiot actually. And it really doesn't suit him anymore, He's 12 and he's very immature and very selfish. Glad i'm not friends with him anymore. Now: I don't like this name that much anymore, Because he freakin ruined it.