Carr
A boy's name of Old Norse origin with 200 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A botanical plant name author abbreviation for botanist Cedric Errol Carr (1892-1936).
Carr is a boy's baby name of Old Norse origin, from the Old Norse kjarr, meaning 'marshy ground' or 'copse near a marsh,' and as a surname reflecting a family who lived near such terrain.
Carr as a given name belongs to the tradition of terse, one-syllable surname names that have become fashionable in modern America — clean, strong, and geographically rooted, sitting naturally alongside Brooks, Heath, and Marsh.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Carr is a boy's name with over a century of recorded use (1913–2014). Its Old Norse roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
With 200 total births, Carr exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Carr has 31+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1913.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 5 | #12382 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 6 | #11288 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 12 | #6811 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 6 | #4507 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 36 | #3331 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 31 | #3539 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 16 | #2981 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 25 | #3392 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 32 | #3714 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 31 | #3418 | — |
The Story of Carr
A Silent Generation name
Peaking in 1940, Carr is an elegant vintage name. Boys named Carr are most likely born between 1930 and 1950.
How rare is Carr?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Carr is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1913, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1960s with 36 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Carr by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(31 years, 1913–2014)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 5 | #12382 |
| 2008 | 6 | #11288 |
| 1989 | 6 | #7081 |
| 1988 | 6 | #6540 |
| 1972 | 6 | #4507 |
| 1968 | 6 | #3738 |
| 1965 | 6 | #3590 |
| 1964 | 8 | #3077 |
| 1962 | 7 | #3349 |
| 1960 | 9 | #2903 |
| 1959 | 8 | #3070 |
| 1957 | 7 | #3286 |
| 1955 | 5 | #3955 |
| 1954 | 6 | #3496 |
| 1953 | 5 | #3886 |
| 1949 | 5 | #3763 |
| 1940 | 11 | #2199 |
| 1937 | 6 | #3223 |
| 1932 | 7 | #3129 |
| 1931 | 7 | #3136 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carr a boy's or girl's name?
When was Carr most popular?
How popular is the name Carr?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1913–2014