Choosing a baby name is a lot like playing a game of Scrabble.
You have a bunch of letters, you don’t know what to do with them, and you’re just hoping to come up with something that doesn’t make everyone else at the table roll their eyes.
It’s even harder when you’re trying to match the first name to flow well with your last name!
So let’s save some time, shall we?
Without any further delay, here are the best first names for a boy or girl that sound good with the last name Carter.
I’ve compiled these from baby name databases, parent discussion forums, and other sources, then whittled them down to the ones I personally think sound the best.
Hope it helps!
25 Girl First Names That Go with Carter
Let’s crabwalk right into the list!
These are just a handful of unique ideas, most of which were actual runners-up from real parents named Carter. I’ve also thrown in some ideas of my own to beef up the list!
- Aria Carter
- Ava Carter
- Brooklyn Carter
- Camila Carter
- Delaney Carter
- Eliza Carter
- Emery Carter
- Everly Carter
- Finley Carter
- Gia Carter
- Harper Carter
- Isla Carter
- Jade Carter
- Jolie Carter
- Kinsley Carter
- Lila Carter
- Lyra Carter
- Marlowe Carter
- Mia Carter
- Nova Carter
- Paisley Carter
- Quinn Carter
- Rowan Carter
- Scarlett Carter
- Willow Carter
25 Boy First Names That Go with Carter
- Asher Carter
- Beckett Carter
- Blake Carter
- Brody Carter
- Caleb Carter
- Cole Carter
- Declan Carter
- Easton Carter
- Everett Carter
- Finn Carter
- Graham Carter
- Greyson Carter
- Hudson Carter
- Jaxon Carter
- Jasper Carter
- Kieran Carter
- Leo Carter
- Levi Carter
- Lincoln Carter
- Maddox Carter
- Nash Carter
- Nolan Carter
- Owen Carter
- Reid Carter
- Sawyer Carter
My favorite girl name that goes with Carter has to be Finley Carter, and for a boy I adore Lincoln Carter. Two syllables in the first name seems to be the magic spot, but I included lots of different options above for you to consider!
Meaning of the last name Carter
According to ThoughtCo, “Carter is an English occupational name for the transporter of goods by cart or wagon. From the Anglo-Norman French “caretier,” a derivative of Old French “caret” which originally meant “carrier.” Another possible derivation comes from “cairtear,” a Gaelic term for tourist or sojourner.”
The name may also appear as an English reduced form of the Irish and Scottish Gaelic derived McCarter or the Scottish-Gaelic Mac Artair with Mc meaning “son of.”
It’s an extremely common surname, usually ranking in the top 50 or so in the United States.
There are an absolute ton of famous Carters to give you inspiration, including former President Jimmy Carter, Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, and actress Helena Bonham Carter, just to name a few.
Wrapping Up
If you’re in the market for additional suggestions, here’s my recommendation:
Explore parenting discussion forums such as Reddit, Nameberry, or Babycenter and utilize the search feature to discover a ton of past conversations about baby names. You can even initiate your own discussion to obtain new ideas and opinions.
And while you’re here please stick around and read some of my favorite guides like what to do at home with a toddler and how to celebrate your anniversary when you’re pregnant!
You can also read some more last name matcher guides like Cooper, Kelly, and Lee here.
Hope this helps!