Data-driven popularity statistics, SSA rankings, and historical trends for the name Carter.
National Rank (2025)
#45
All-Time Peak Rank
#24 (2015)
Total U.S. Births
206,833
Unisex Distribution95.4% Boy / 4.6% GirlBalance: Overwhelmingly Male
💡 The Carter Vibe: This choice is considered a Modern Trend. A contemporary choice reflecting current cultural naming rhythms and popularity brackets.
📖 The Story Behind Carter
According to SSA data, Carter achieved its highest historical rank of #24 in 2015. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 2015 with 10,814 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have decreased by 44.3%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 143 consecutive years.
📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)
Watch how the absolute registration footprint of the name Carter scaled historically over the last century:
5-Year Trajectory Velocity
Declining
10-Year Decadal Shift Change
-44.3% Decline
18801920196020002025
📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility
Busiest Year on Record10,814Births in 2015
Years in Top 100
22yrs
Registry Appearance Streak
143Years
Historical VolatilityHighly Volatile
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s:100
1890s:134
1900s:199
1910s:680
1920s:881
1930s:863
1940s:1,340
1950s:1,612
1960s:1,345
1970s:1,359
1980s:1,680
1990s:9,725
2000s:52,320
2010s:95,261
2020s:39,334
📐 Sound & Spelling Structure
Phonetic SyllablesCar-ter
Letter Count6 Letters
Spelling ComplexityModerate
Linguistic Profile Narrative: Longer than 25.7% of SSA names. Starts with C, a letter used by only 5.7% of SSA names.
🛠️ Rhythm & Cadence Engine
Need a middle name or matching choice that pairs cleanly with Carter? Enter a surname or older sibling name below to test structural meter and syllable cohesion:
BabyNameAnalytics