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Carrie

Girl name · 1,587 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Carrie: 1,587 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 149 births in 1980.

Carrie is most often a diminutive of Caroline, itself from the Germanic root *karlaz* meaning “free man,” though it also has roots in the Welsh *caru* (“to love”). The name gained global recognition through actress and author Carrie Fisher, beloved as Princess Leia in *Star Wars*, and country singer Carrie Underwood, an American Idol winner. While no major places share its etymology, the name’s cultural footprint includes Stephen King’s chilling 1974 novel *Carrie*, which spawned multiple film adaptations—a stark contrast to its gentle meaning. In Scotland, Carrie saw steady use from the 1970s onward, often as a standalone name rather than a nickname, and remains a friendly, classic choice with a hint of Hollywood sparkle.