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Cary Name Meaning, Origins & History

Cary

Pronunciation: KAIR-ee

Meaning From the pretty brook Origin Old English Gender Unisex
BOYS RANK
#3,676
TREND
69
Peak Years
1957, 1962, 1959
Lowest Years
1899, 1891, 1884
Energy Archetype
Cheerful & Expressive

Rank shows the name’s position among U.S. baby names for each gender in 2025. Trend shows how many places it rose or fell since 2024. Rank 1 is the most popular. Based on U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) data. Peak and lowest years are based on the number of boys named Cary in the available records.

Fun Facts About the Name Cary

  • More than 29 thousand babies named Cary: U.S. records list 29,825 babies given the name Cary from 1880 through 2025. Of these, 5,323 girls received the name Cary - about 1 girl for every 5 boys.

What Does the Name Cary Mean?

Cary is an English given name and surname. Its meaning is uncertain. It comes from the surname Cary, a habitational name from Castle Cary in Somerset, England. The place name is generally understood to come from the River Cary. The river name is Celtic, probably from a Brittonic word related to Welsh caru ('to love') and cariad ('love'); on that basis it is often explained as 'loving' or 'pleasant,' but the exact sense of the ancient river name is not certain.

The related surname Carey can have a separate Irish origin as an anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Ciardha, meaning 'descendant of Ciardha,' a personal name from ciar, 'dark' or 'black.' That Irish derivation belongs primarily to Carey; the usual origin of Cary is the English place name.

Cary Name History & Origins

Cary began as an English surname. It is a habitational name from Castle Cary in Somerset, a town named for the River Cary. The place name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Cari; the prefix Castle was added later after a castle was built there. The surname is found in English records from the Middle Ages onward and later spread to other English-speaking countries. As a first name, Cary is a transferred use of the surname rather than an ancient personal name with its own independent history.

In the 20th century, the actor Cary Grant, born Archibald Alec Leach, used Cary as part of his professional name from the 1930s. The actor Cary Elwes also bears the name. Cary is used mainly as a masculine given name, but it also appears as a feminine name, where it is sometimes a variant of Carrie or Carey.

How Popular is the Name Cary?

Cary recorded its highest annual U.S. birth count in 1957. Its best rank was #264 in 1966.

U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.

Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.

Famous People Named Cary

Cary Grant
Cary Grant

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How the Name Cary Shapes Your Personality and Life?

You are cheerful and friendly, but are apt to have an emotional life. You like to have several lines of effort going at once. You are a good talker and promoter and seldom worry over anything. At times, you can be impatient, and impulsive. You have the ability to bring an idea to completion. You can express yourself joyously and constructively. You might be psychic, but not know it. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.

You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.

✦ Cary's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Cary's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.
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