| Carter | Edward | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Cart driver | Wealthy guardian |
| Origin | English | English |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | KAR-ter | ED-werd |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1881 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 2015 (10,814) | 1924 (21,126) |
| In 2025 | 6,024 | 1,591 |
| Trend | Steady | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Carter | Edward |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 39,334 | 10,370 |
| 2010s | 95,261 | 25,263 |
| 2000s | 52,320 | 30,833 |
| 1990s | 9,725 | 45,164 |
| 1980s | 1,680 | 60,832 |
| 1970s | 1,359 | 83,425 |
| 1960s | 1,345 | 143,984 |
| 1950s | 1,612 | 188,323 |
| 1940s | 1,340 | 174,801 |
| 1930s | 863 | 147,849 |
| 1920s | 881 | 197,348 |
| 1910s | 680 | 125,720 |
| 1900s | 199 | 24,516 |
| 1890s | 134 | 22,033 |
| 1880s | 100 | 23,133 |
Carter is an English occupational surname for one who drives or makes carts.
Edward is an Old English name meaning “wealthy guardian,” from ēad (“wealth, fortune”) and weard (“guard”). An Anglo-Saxon royal name, it has been carried by saints and many English kings.
Carter is more popular than Edward today: about 6,024 US babies were given the name Carter in 2025, compared with 1,591 named Edward.
Carter means Cart driver (English origin), while Edward means Wealthy guardian (English origin).
In US records, Carter first appears in 1881 and Edward in 1880, so Edward has the longer recorded history.