Cary Unisex

Popularity: #908 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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.

CameronCarterCalebColinConnorCasey

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.

GaryLarryTerryBarryDarrylHarryJerryMurray

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Cary was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Cary has ranked as high as #565 nationally, which occurred in 1959, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Illinois, New York, and Michigan.

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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 30 30 0
2024 37 32 5
2023 23 23 0
2022 37 37 0
2021 27 27 0
2020 26 26 0
2019 41 41 0
2018 27 22 5
2017 36 31 5
2016 35 35 0
2015 32 32 0
2014 28 21 7
2013 28 22 6
2012 33 28 5
2011 38 29 9
2010 31 24 7
2009 32 25 7
2008 41 34 7
2007 43 35 8
2006 27 27 0
2005 44 30 14
2004 45 34 11
2003 39 39 0
2002 42 34 8
2001 62 49 13
2000 72 53 19
1999 63 47 16
1998 99 81 18
1997 104 81 23
1996 92 65 27
1995 109 87 22
1994 129 105 24
1993 138 113 25
1992 156 125 31
1991 177 143 34
1990 204 157 47
1989 219 172 47
1988 202 161 41
1987 217 177 40
1986 227 182 45
1985 261 197 64
1984 244 179 65
1983 239 157 82
1982 253 177 76
1981 283 186 97
1980 280 195 85
1979 299 198 101
1978 362 231 131
1977 435 270 165
1976 508 325 183
1975 564 360 204
1974 483 306 177
1973 539 385 154
1972 567 411 156
1971 729 543 186
1970 725 570 155
1969 751 622 129
1968 788 663 125
1967 739 629 110
1966 835 763 72
1965 767 689 78
1964 823 749 74
1963 883 764 119
1962 891 784 107
1961 745 624 121
1960 878 760 118
1959 906 779 127
1958 710 583 127
1957 902 788 114
1956 681 556 125
1955 571 490 81
1954 582 510 72
1953 482 407 75
1952 513 462 51
1951 483 442 41
1950 483 443 40
1949 491 447 44
1948 470 436 34
1947 391 357 34
1946 335 305 30
1945 258 237 21
1944 272 248 24
1943 290 261 29
1942 226 207 19
1941 186 175 11
1940 155 134 21
1939 117 97 20
1938 114 99 15
1937 81 73 8
1936 102 80 22
1935 76 61 15
1934 70 58 12
1933 69 55 14
1932 58 43 15
1931 55 47 8
1930 64 53 11
1929 57 44 13
1928 56 44 12
1927 74 55 19
1926 51 42 9
1925 71 52 19
1924 75 59 16
1923 76 59 17
1922 73 60 13
1921 87 75 12
1920 73 61 12
1919 78 57 21
1918 71 50 21
1917 70 56 14
1916 56 42 14
1915 65 53 12
1914 42 32 10
1913 39 28 11
1912 32 20 12
1911 21 21 0
1910 31 23 8
1909 29 24 5
1908 18 13 5
1907 20 14 6
1906 16 16 0
1905 21 13 8
1904 17 12 5
1903 21 9 12
1902 12 12 0
1901 10 10 0
1900 17 12 5
1899 8 8 0
1898 15 10 5
1897 17 11 6
1896 21 21 0
1895 17 11 6
1894 18 18 0
1893 22 16 6
1892 11 11 0
1891 8 8 0
1890 16 9 7
1889 16 11 5
1888 16 16 0
1887 9 9 0
1886 13 13 0
1885 17 17 0
1884 9 9 0
1883 10 10 0
1882 20 13 7
1881 12 12 0
1880 17 17 0

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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 6
55%
NY 5
45%