Gender-Neutral Name · Surname Origin
Carey
Carey means “To love”. It is a gender-neutral name of Surname origin, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Carey is a neutral baby name of Surname origin, meaning "To love". 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: To love
Origin: Surname naming roots help connect Carey to related Surname 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 "To love" and is of Surname origin. The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Carey is used as a neutral name.
What is the origin of Carey?
Carey originates in Surname 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.