How Many People Are Named Carter?
Complete statistics for the name Carter: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Carter, an uncommon male name with roots in Old English, means 'cart maker' or 'wheelwright'. It's estimated that 1 in 1,621 Americans today are named Carter, totaling around 203,585 people. The name peaked in popularity in 2015 with 11,395 births, making it a genuinely modern choice.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Traditionally, life path number 11 is associated with spiritual insight and visionary leadership.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 16All 210,119 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 2015Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Carter Through the Generations
Carter has seen a steady rise in popularity over recent decades, becoming particularly trendy among younger parents. With 194,718 under-30s carrying the name, it's clear that Carter is favored by those looking for a fresh, contemporary moniker. The average age of people named Carter is just 16, reflecting its status as a modern name embraced by new generations.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Carter's Old English roots
📄 About the Name Carter
How Many People Have the Name Carter?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 364,355 people in the United States currently share the name Carter. That works out to roughly 1 in every 910 Americans, placing it in the Common category.
Is Carter a Common or Rare Name?
Carter is classified as Common. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Carter Mean?
Carter means "cart maker" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 11.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Carter in SSA data, approximately 95% are male and 5% are female.
When Was Carter Most Popular?
The name Carter reached peak popularity in 2015, with 11,395 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Carter?
Approximately 364,355 people named Carter live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 364,355. That works out to roughly 1 in 910 Americans.
Is Carter a rare name?
Carter is classified as Common in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 910 Americans has this name.
What does the name Carter mean?
Carter means "cart maker" and comes from Old English origins.
Is Carter more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 95% of people named Carter are male and 5% are female.
When was Carter most popular?
Carter peaked in 2015 with 11,395 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.