Cary
Cary is a girl's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Dark, dark-complexioned, or beloved.
Origin and history
Cary is a given name derived from a Gaelic surname and place name, historically linked to the River Carey or Ciar, meaning dark or beloved. While used for both sexes, it saw moderate usage for females in the United States during the mid-20th century. Today, it is an uncommon female name in the U.S.
Popularity in the United States
5,323 babies in the United States have been named Cary since 1880. It ranks #2367 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2096.
States where it is most popular
- CA (20.9 %)
- IL (11.9 %)
- TX (10.8 %)
- VA (9.5 %)
- NY (9.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 12 |
| 1890-1900 | 30 |
| 1900-1910 | 46 |
| 1910-1920 | 123 |
| 1920-1930 | 142 |
| 1930-1940 | 140 |
| 1940-1950 | 267 |
| 1950-1960 | 853 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,053 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,612 |
| 1980-1990 | 642 |
| 1990-2000 | 267 |
| 2000-2010 | 87 |
| 2010-2019 | 44 |
| 2020-2029 | 5 |
Fun facts
- Cary has been historically given to both boys and girls in the United States, though it is currently rare for both.
- The name is associated with geography, including river names in England and Ireland.