| Edward | Carter | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Wealthy guardian | Cart driver |
| Origin | English | English |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | ED-werd | KAR-ter |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1881 |
| Peak year | 1924 (21,126) | 2015 (10,814) |
| In 2025 | 1,591 | 6,024 |
| Trend | Declining | Steady |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Edward | Carter |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 10,370 | 39,334 |
| 2010s | 25,263 | 95,261 |
| 2000s | 30,833 | 52,320 |
| 1990s | 45,164 | 9,725 |
| 1980s | 60,832 | 1,680 |
| 1970s | 83,425 | 1,359 |
| 1960s | 143,984 | 1,345 |
| 1950s | 188,323 | 1,612 |
| 1940s | 174,801 | 1,340 |
| 1930s | 147,849 | 863 |
| 1920s | 197,348 | 881 |
| 1910s | 125,720 | 680 |
| 1900s | 24,516 | 199 |
| 1890s | 22,033 | 134 |
| 1880s | 23,133 | 100 |
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 an English occupational surname for one who drives or makes carts.
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.
Edward means Wealthy guardian (English origin), while Carter means Cart driver (English origin).
In US records, Edward first appears in 1880 and Carter in 1881, so Edward has the longer recorded history.