The first name Cary
A unisex name.
2 syllables Unisex Also a surname
Meaning and origin
A male given name transferred from the surnames.
Cary is a short form of
.From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 3 boys were named Cary, making it the 5,137th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 6 births (#1,765).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Cary with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Cary at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 30 boys born in the United States were named Cary, the 3,676th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1957, when 788 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Nicknames and spellings
Other spellings and forms
Famous people named Cary
8 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Cary GrantBritish-American actor (1904–1986)
- Cary ElwesBritish actor (born 1962)
- Cary Joji FukunagaAmerican filmmaker, born 1977
- Cary MiddlecoffAmerican professional golfer (1921–1998)
- Cary StaynerAmerican serial killer, born 1961
- Cary GuffeyChild actor, born 1972
- Edward C. WalthallConfederate Army general (1831-1898)
- Conn SmytheCanadian sports executive (1895–1980)
Questions
- How popular is the name Cary?
- In 2025, 3 boys born in England and Wales were named Cary, ranking 5,137th. Its peak was 1996, with 6 births.
- Is Cary a boy's or a girl's name?
- Both. Of the 29,827 US babies named Cary since 1880, 18% were girls and 82% boys.
- When was Cary most popular?
- 1957 in the United States, when 788 babies were named Cary, its highest rank at 268th.
- What are other spellings of Cary?
- Carey.
- Is Cary also a surname?
- Yes. Cary is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.