Carmen
Carmen is a girl's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Song, poem, or garden.
Origin and history
Carmen is a classic name of Latin and Spanish origin, historically derived from 'Carmel' as well as the Latin word for song or poem. It has been consistently popular in the United States since the late 19th century. Today, it remains a timeless cross-cultural choice for girls.
Popularity in the United States
142,795 babies in the United States have been named Carmen since 1880. It ranks #281 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #423.
States where it is most popular
- CA (15.7 %)
- NY (13 %)
- TX (12.8 %)
- IL (4.9 %)
- FL (3.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 141 |
| 1890-1900 | 419 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,040 |
| 1910-1920 | 4,104 |
| 1920-1930 | 9,180 |
| 1930-1940 | 8,569 |
| 1940-1950 | 10,692 |
| 1950-1960 | 18,953 |
| 1960-1970 | 22,888 |
| 1970-1980 | 17,873 |
| 1980-1990 | 12,624 |
| 1990-2000 | 11,158 |
| 2000-2010 | 12,217 |
| 2010-2019 | 8,556 |
| 2020-2029 | 4,381 |
Famous people named Carmen
- Carmen Electra: Actress, Model
- Carmen Miranda: Singer, Actress
- Carmen Maria Machado: Author, Essayist
Nicknames
Carm, Carmencita, Carmie
Fun facts
- The name stems from both the Latin word for 'song' or 'poem' and the Hebrew word 'Karmel' meaning 'garden' or 'vineyard'.
- Georges Bizet's famous 1875 opera Carmen helped popularize the name globally.