A surname and given name of Irish origin, also referring to various places. Can be used as both a masculine and feminine first name.
From Irish Ó Ciardha, meaning 'descendant of Ciardha.' Ciardha derives from ciar meaning 'black' or 'dark,' possibly referring to dark hair or complexion. Anglicized during English colonization of Ireland.
The name Carey shows the complex history of Irish names being anglicized - the original Gaelic form Ó Ciardha was transformed to fit English pronunciation and spelling patterns! Many Irish-Americans today might not recognize their surname's original Gaelic meaning.
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