Cary Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAR-ee //ˈkɛəri//
Origin: English; Irish
Meaning: English: fort; Irish: from the marsh
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Cary has its roots in the Old French name "Cari," which is derived from the Latin "Carius," meaning "to be dear" or "beloved." This Latin term is linked to the word "carus," which carries similar meanings of affection and value. The name entered the English language during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many Old French names were adopted into English vernacular, particularly among the aristocracy and landowners.
Over time, Cary evolved into various forms, including Cary and Carey, reflecting regional dialects and variations in spelling. Historically, the name Cary has been associated with several notable figures and places.
One significant milestone is the use of the name in the 12th century, when it appeared as a surname in England, particularly in the West Country. The Cary family of Devonshire, for instance, was prominent in English history, with members serving in various capacities, including as Members of Parliament.
Additionally, the name is linked to Cary, a village in Somerset, which has historical significance dating back to the medieval period. The name also appears in literary contexts, such as in the works of 19th-century authors who contributed to its cultural resonance.
Culturally, the name Cary has been associated with themes of affection and endearment, reflecting its etymological roots. It has been used in various literary and artistic contexts, symbolizing warmth and connection.
The name's enduring presence in English-speaking cultures can be attributed to its melodic quality and the positive connotations associated with its meaning. While diminutive forms such as "Carey" have emerged, Cary itself remains a distinct name with a rich historical background, embodying both personal and familial significance.
Famous people named Cary
In this section, you will find notable people named Cary. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Cary who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Cary who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Cary Grant is an actor best known for North by Northwest, Roman Holiday, and The Philadelphia Story.
Cary Elwes is an actor best known for The Princess Bride, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, and Saw.
Cary Brothers is a musician best known for his work on the soundtracks of TV shows like Once Upon a Time and The Vampire Diaries.
Fictional characters named Cary
The following list of fictional characters named Cary is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Cary Elwes is a fictional character from the film The Princess Bride. He is the charming and brave Westley, who embarks on a quest to rescue his true love, Buttercup.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Cary, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Cary. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Cary was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Cary has ranked as high as #557 nationally, which occurred in 1957, and has been most popular in California, Illinois, New York, Michigan, and Georgia.
In the past 5 years the name Cary has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Cary is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Cary was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Cary (2022)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 6 | |
| NY | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Cary.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 31 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2022 | 37 |
| 2021 | 27 |
| 2020 | 26 |
| 2019 | 41 |
| 2018 | 22 |
| 2017 | 31 |
| 2016 | 35 |
| 2015 | 32 |
| 2014 | 21 |
| 2013 | 22 |
| 2012 | 28 |
| 2011 | 29 |
| 2010 | 24 |
| 2009 | 25 |
| 2008 | 34 |
| 2007 | 35 |
| 2006 | 27 |
| 2005 | 30 |
| 2004 | 34 |
| 2003 | 39 |
| 2002 | 34 |
| 2001 | 49 |
| 2000 | 53 |
| 1999 | 47 |
| 1998 | 81 |
| 1997 | 81 |
| 1996 | 65 |
| 1995 | 87 |
| 1994 | 105 |
| 1993 | 113 |
| 1992 | 125 |
| 1991 | 143 |
| 1990 | 157 |
| 1989 | 172 |
| 1988 | 161 |
| 1987 | 177 |
| 1986 | 182 |
| 1985 | 197 |
| 1984 | 179 |
| 1983 | 157 |
| 1982 | 177 |
| 1981 | 186 |
| 1980 | 195 |
| 1979 | 198 |
| 1978 | 231 |
| 1977 | 270 |
| 1976 | 325 |
| 1975 | 360 |
| 1974 | 306 |
| 1973 | 385 |
| 1972 | 411 |
| 1971 | 543 |
| 1970 | 570 |
| 1969 | 622 |
| 1968 | 663 |
| 1967 | 629 |
| 1966 | 763 |
| 1965 | 689 |
| 1964 | 749 |
| 1963 | 764 |
| 1962 | 784 |
| 1961 | 624 |
| 1960 | 760 |
| 1959 | 779 |
| 1958 | 583 |
| 1957 | 788 |
| 1956 | 555 |
| 1955 | 490 |
| 1954 | 510 |
| 1953 | 407 |
| 1952 | 462 |
| 1951 | 442 |
| 1950 | 443 |
| 1949 | 447 |
| 1948 | 436 |
| 1947 | 357 |
| 1946 | 305 |
| 1945 | 237 |
| 1944 | 248 |
| 1943 | 261 |
| 1942 | 207 |
| 1941 | 175 |
| 1940 | 134 |
| 1939 | 97 |
| 1938 | 99 |
| 1937 | 73 |
| 1936 | 80 |
| 1935 | 61 |
| 1934 | 58 |
| 1933 | 55 |
| 1932 | 43 |
| 1931 | 47 |
| 1930 | 53 |
| 1929 | 44 |
| 1928 | 44 |
| 1927 | 55 |
| 1926 | 42 |
| 1925 | 52 |
| 1924 | 59 |
| 1923 | 59 |
| 1922 | 60 |
| 1921 | 75 |
| 1920 | 61 |
| 1919 | 57 |
| 1918 | 50 |
| 1917 | 56 |
| 1916 | 42 |
| 1915 | 53 |
| 1914 | 32 |
| 1913 | 28 |
| 1912 | 20 |
| 1911 | 21 |
| 1910 | 23 |
| 1909 | 24 |
| 1908 | 13 |
| 1907 | 14 |
| 1906 | 16 |
| 1905 | 13 |
| 1904 | 12 |
| 1903 | 9 |
| 1902 | 12 |
| 1901 | 10 |
| 1900 | 12 |
| 1899 | 8 |
| 1898 | 10 |
| 1897 | 11 |
| 1896 | 21 |
| 1895 | 11 |
| 1894 | 18 |
| 1893 | 16 |
| 1892 | 11 |
| 1891 | 8 |
| 1890 | 9 |
| 1889 | 11 |
| 1888 | 16 |
| 1887 | 9 |
| 1886 | 13 |
| 1885 | 17 |
| 1884 | 9 |
| 1883 | 10 |
| 1882 | 13 |
| 1881 | 12 |
| 1880 | 17 |