Carter
Meaning of Carter
Carter began as an English occupational surname for someone who transported goods by cart, from the Middle English carter, which goes back to Latin carrus, meaning cart. As a first name it is a surname-style given name, and its meaning is usually given as cart driver or one who carries goods by cart. It is pronounced KAHR-tur. A variant spelling is Karter.
Its best-known namesake is Carter G. Woodson (1875–1950), the American historian and educator known as the father of Black history. He founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History and The Journal of Negro History, and he launched Negro History Week, the precursor of Black History Month. The week he launched grew into Black History Month.
In the United States, Carter was long uncommon as a first name, ranking 421st in 1994. It then rose sharply, reaching 24th in 2015, when 10,814 babies received the name, its highest count. In 2025 it ranked 45th, still a common choice though less frequent than at its peak.
Pronunciation
American English
- Pronunced as KAHR-tur (/ˌkɑrtər/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Carter
| Carter Godwin Woodson, an American historian known as the father of Black history, founded ASALH and The Journal of Negro History and launched Negro History Week, precursor to Black History Month. |
| Carter Loard Bays is an American TV producer, writer, showrunner, and musician. |
