Carey
Carey is a girl's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Descendant of Ciardha, dark or dark-haired.
Origin and history
Carey is a unisex given name of Irish origin, derived from the surname Ó Ciardha. It historically means 'descendant of Ciardha', with Ciardha translating to 'dark' or 'black-haired'. While popular as a female name in the mid-to-late 20th century in the United States, its modern usage has become relatively rare.
Popularity in the United States
12,741 babies in the United States have been named Carey since 1880. It ranks #1426 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2071.
States where it is most popular
- CA (12 %)
- OH (7.6 %)
- TX (6.9 %)
- MI (5.8 %)
- PA (5.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 6 |
| 1890-1900 | 17 |
| 1900-1910 | 18 |
| 1910-1920 | 97 |
| 1920-1930 | 119 |
| 1930-1940 | 144 |
| 1940-1950 | 296 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,181 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,059 |
| 1970-1980 | 5,605 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,026 |
| 1990-2000 | 796 |
| 2000-2010 | 246 |
| 2010-2019 | 101 |
| 2020-2029 | 30 |
Famous people named Carey
- Carey Mulligan: Actress
- Carey Lowell: Actress, Model
Fun facts
- Carey originates from the Irish surname Ó Ciardha, historically associated with the midlands region of Ireland.
- Carey saw its highest usage for girls in the U.S. during the 1970s before gradually declining.