Carter
Say it: KAR-ter
BoyMeans a driver of carts6 letters2 syllables
#317
in Ireland (2025)
#307 with spellings combined
13
babies in 2025
#114
best rank (2019)
468
babies since 2009
Down 117
10-year rank change
Carter through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13 | #307 |
| 2024 | 28 | #177 |
| 2023 | 31 | #163 |
| 2022 | 29 | #177 |
| 2021 | 23 | #213 |
| 2020 | 37 | #154 |
| 2019 | 61 | #114 |
| 2018 | 31 | #181 |
| 2017 | 46 | #134 |
| 2016 | 31 | #184 |
| 2015 | 30 | #190 |
| 2014 | 29 | #203 |
| 2013 | 29 | #202 |
| 2012 | 26 | #221 |
| 2011 | 15 | #302 |
| 2010 | 5 | #542 |
| 2009 | 4 | #604 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Carter mean?
A driver of carts
English occupational surname for a carter; in Ireland also an English form of Mac Artúir (son of Arthur).
Say it right
KARter
The story of Carter
Carter began as an English surname for someone who drove carts and carried goods for a living. In Ireland the surname has a second root too: it was used as an English form of the Irish Mac Artúir, “son of Arthur”. As a first name it follows the fashion for surnames like Hunter, Parker and Cooper.
The best-known bearer of the surname is probably Jimmy Carter, the American president.
Carter first reached the CSO list in 2009. It rose quickly and had its best year in 2019, with 61 boys and a place at number 114. Since then it has eased back. The name has been more popular in Northern Ireland, where it reached number 53 in 2013, and more boys were named Carter there than in the Republic in 2025.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Carter (English proper noun)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Carter | 13 | 468 |
In Northern Ireland
#114 in 2025 with 20 babies. Best rank #53 (2013); 986 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.