Gender-Neutral Name · Irish Origin
Carey
Carey is a neutral baby name of Irish origin, meaning "Dark-haired". It currently sits in the Rare tier of US baby names for 2026, and parents who love Carey often also consider Corey.
Carey meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Dark-haired
Origin: Irish naming roots help connect Carey to related Irish baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Carey as C·A·R·E·Y, with 5 letters and a gender-neutral usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Carey is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Carey variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Careya, Careye, Careyy, Care.
- Nicknames: Car and C.
- Middle names: Pair Carey with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Carey middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Corey, Correy, Cairo, Carie, Cary — full picks on the sibling names for Carey guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Carey? Browse our names like Carey guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Carey
What does the name Carey mean?
Carey means "Dark-haired" and is of Irish origin.
What is the origin of Carey?
Carey originates in Irish naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Carey?
Carey has 5 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Carey a boy's or girl's name?
Carey is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Carey in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Carey sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Carey?
Names that share Carey's sound and style include Corey, Correy, Cairo, Carie, Cary.
What middle names pair well with Carey?
Good middle-name fits for Carey pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Carey is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Carey is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Carey?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Carey share its rhythm without rhyming — Corey, Correy, Cairo all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.