Origin: |
As a given name, Carter is an an adoption of an occupational surname, referring to a person who carried or conveyed goods in a cart. It is generally derived from the Middle English carte, itself derived from the Old Norse kartr and Old English cræt "cart, wagon, chariot." Reaney and Wilson, point out, however, that the etymology is a little more elaborate. One of the first instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1177: a Fulco carettarius. Carettarius is a Medieval Latin word, derived from carrus "wagon, cartload," itself from the Proto-Celtic *karros “wagon.” |
Usage: |
Like most surnames-turned-first names, we first find Carter in use as a given name in the 18th century, often given because it was the mother's maiden name or in honour of a godparent. Despite being a common surname (the 58th most popular surname on the 1881 UK census), Carter was quite uncommon as a given name, though it was used quite consistently across the 19th century, averaging 4-5 births per year initially, then declining by the end of the century. Births in England and Wales: 1840s: 37 births It was, for the most part, masculine in use, though was occasionally used for girls. In 1996 in England and Wales, Carter ranked down at #755 with 20 births but had doubled in use the following year in 1997. It gradually rose in rank until it reached #267 (106 births) in 2002. Within the last forty years, Carter first ranked in Scotland in 1996 with one birth. It too gradually increased in rank, reaching #257 (12 births) in 2006. Some of the rising use in Carter during this period can be attributed to the popular use of other surnames such as Taylor, Tyler, Harrison and Corey. However, some of it may be thanks to Noah Wyle's character Dr John Carter (often called simply "Carter") on the hit US TV show ER. The character appeared in the pilot episode in 1994 and was a regular character up until 2004, after which he appeared occasionally. In both England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, Carter has been rising swiftly in the last few years. In 2014, Carter ranked #61 in Wales, #124 in England (#118 combined), #63 in Northern Ireland and #110 in Scotland. This year has also seen Carter get some celebrity endorsement, when Frankie Bridge gave the name to her second son. |
Famous Bearers: |
History: * Carter Braxton (1736–1797), signer of the American Declaration of Independence. Contemporary: * Carter Jenkins (b. 1991), American actor. Literature and Other Media: * Carter Hall, DC Comics super-hero Hawkman. |
Variants: |
Karter |
Pronunciation: |
KAR-tə [key] |
Possible Diminutives: |
Kit |
Sibling Names: |
Harper Darcey Ariana Thea Skyar Elsa |
Name Lists: |
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Thanks to Joan for requesting this post.