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Carrie
Pronounced KAIR-ee /ˈkær.i/High
Meaning: Pet form of Caroline or Carol, ultimately from the Germanic Karl meaning free man or strong man, applied as a feminine diminutiveHigh
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
Carrie developed in the 19th century as an informal diminutive of Caroline and Carol, both feminine adaptations of the Latin Carolus (Charles). The name was widely used in the American South and Midwest, becoming a standalone given name by the late 1800s.
Carrie peaked in the United States in the 1880s before returning to popularity in the 1970s, when it became one of the quintessential names of that decade. Country music star Carrie Underwood gave the name renewed mainstream visibility in the 21st century.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Carrie Underwood (1983–present)American country singer and songwriter who won the fourth season of American Idol in 2005 and became one of the genre's best-selling artists.
- ★Carrie Fisher (1956–2016)American actress and writer best known for playing Princess Leia in the Star Wars films.
If you like Carrie…
Frequently Asked
What does the name Carrie mean?
Carrie means free woman or strong woman, as a pet form of Caroline from the Germanic Karl.
How do you pronounce Carrie?
It is said KAIR-ee, two syllables with stress on the first.
Is Carrie a boy or girl name?
Carrie is used exclusively as a girls' name.
How popular is Carrie?
Carrie was most popular in the United States in the 1970s and 1880s, and remains a recognizable classic today.