Carmela
Carmela is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Garden or vineyard of God.
Origin and history
Carmela is a traditional feminine name derived from Mount Carmel in Israel, meaning 'garden' or 'orchard'. Popularized in Italy and Latin cultures, it was widely used in the early to mid-20th century in the United States. It remains a recognizable classic choice with steady, gentle usage today.
Popularity in the United States
24,506 babies in the United States have been named Carmela since 1880. It ranks #928 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1239.
States where it is most popular
- NY (48 %)
- NJ (11.6 %)
- PA (9.6 %)
- CA (6.8 %)
- TX (4.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 37 |
| 1890-1900 | 280 |
| 1900-1910 | 815 |
| 1910-1920 | 3,461 |
| 1920-1930 | 5,430 |
| 1930-1940 | 2,885 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,731 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,720 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,091 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,400 |
| 1980-1990 | 895 |
| 1990-2000 | 674 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,005 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,131 |
| 2020-2029 | 951 |
Famous people named Carmela
- Carmela Zumbado: Actress
- Carmela Corren: Singer, Actress
Nicknames
Mel, Carmen, Mela, Carmie
Fun facts
- The name directly references Mount Carmel, a coastal mountain range in northern Israel.
- The name gained renewed cultural visibility through the character Carmela Soprano on HBO's 'The Sopranos'.