Carlisle
From Middle English Carlele, from Middle English Carleol, Carleul, from Cumbric [Term?] (compare Caer Ligualid in the Historia Brittonum, Middle Welsh Caer Liwelydd…
Every Carlisle since 1888 — 2,329 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Carlisle
Carlisle is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #3,256 in 2025 with 36 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1888, 2,329 American babies have been named Carlisle — about 80% boys and 20% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2010, when 62 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Carlisle stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Carlisle year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | #10,256 | 36 | #3,256 |
| 2024 | 12 | #8,552 | 36 | #3,281 |
| 2023 | 16 | #6,993 | 34 | #3,429 |
| 2022 | 11 | #9,171 | 38 | #3,164 |
| 2021 | 12 | #8,580 | 42 | #2,925 |
| 2020 | 16 | #6,987 | 40 | #2,936 |
| 2019 | 6 | #14,160 | 34 | #3,360 |
| 2018 | 13 | #8,241 | 42 | #2,854 |
| 2017 | 12 | #8,907 | 40 | #2,964 |
| 2016 | 15 | #7,669 | 39 | #3,007 |
| 2015 | 14 | #8,090 | 35 | #3,241 |
| 2014 | 14 | #8,141 | 35 | #3,164 |
| 2013 | 18 | #6,793 | 29 | #3,593 |
| 2012 | 10 | #10,594 | 47 | #2,602 |
| 2011 | 10 | #10,549 | 23 | #4,248 |
| 2010 | 21 | #6,224 | 41 | #2,879 |
| 2009 | 12 | #9,506 | 12 | #6,871 |
| 2008 | 14 | #8,619 | 10 | #7,782 |
| 2007 | 9 | #11,818 | 6 | #11,137 |
| 2006 | 15 | #7,947 | 7 | #9,723 |
| 2005 | 15 | #7,582 | — | — |
| 2004 | 12 | #8,823 | — | — |
| 2003 | 11 | #9,167 | 8 | #7,958 |
| 2002 | 7 | #12,447 | — | — |
| 2001 | 14 | #7,388 | 5 | #10,820 |
| 2000 | 14 | #7,241 | 6 | #9,254 |
| 1995 | 10 | #8,184 | 7 | #7,098 |
| 1990 | 12 | #6,930 | 11 | #4,707 |
| 1985 | — | — | 5 | #6,669 |
| 1980 | — | — | 7 | #5,004 |
| 1975 | — | — | 7 | #4,379 |
| 1970 | — | — | 9 | #3,310 |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | 5 | #4,111 |
| 1955 | — | — | 11 | #2,449 |
| 1950 | — | — | 17 | #1,827 |
| 1945 | — | — | 11 | #2,147 |
| 1940 | — | — | 10 | #2,346 |
| 1935 | — | — | 26 | #1,330 |
| 1930 | — | — | 17 | #1,831 |
| 1925 | — | — | 25 | #1,501 |
| 1920 | — | — | 29 | #1,352 |
| 1915 | — | — | 29 | #1,220 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | 6 | #903 |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Carlisle mean?
From Middle English Carlele, from Middle English Carleol, Carleul, from Cumbric [Term?] (compare Caer Ligualid in the Historia Brittonum, Middle Welsh Caer Liwelydd, Welsh Caerliwelydd, all suffixed with -ydd), composed of…
How popular is the name Carlisle in 2025?
Carlisle ranked #3,256 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 36 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Carlisle?
2,329 babies have been named Carlisle in the United States since 1888, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Carlisle most popular?
Carlisle peaked in 2010, when 62 newborns received the name.
Is Carlisle a boy or girl name?
Carlisle is used for both: about 20% of babies named Carlisle have been girls and 80% boys.
Is the name Carlisle rising or falling?
Carlisle is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.