Carmen
Carmen is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Song, poem, or garden.
Origin and history
Carmen is a historic name of Latin and Hebrew roots, derived either from the Latin word for 'song' or 'poem', or associated with Mount Carmel in Israel. While predominantly used for females in the United States, it has a long history of use for males, particularly in Spanish-speaking cultures and Italian traditions (where Carmeno/Carmine or Carmen are used). In the U.S., male usage has been steady but relatively rare in recent years.
Popularity in the United States
16,961 babies in the United States have been named Carmen since 1880. It ranks #906 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1613.
States where it is most popular
- PA (28 %)
- NY (20 %)
- NJ (17.8 %)
- OH (8.1 %)
- IL (7.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 41 |
| 1900-1910 | 143 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,763 |
| 1920-1930 | 3,155 |
| 1930-1940 | 2,283 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,220 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,133 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,647 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,059 |
| 1980-1990 | 812 |
| 1990-2000 | 656 |
| 2000-2010 | 464 |
| 2010-2019 | 271 |
| 2020-2029 | 314 |
Famous people named Carmen
- Carmen Policy: Sports Executive, Attorney
- Carmen Basilio: Professional Boxer
- Carmen Cavallaro: Pianist, Bandleader
Nicknames
Carm
Fun facts
- The name merges the Latin word 'carmen' meaning song or poem with the Hebrew place name Carmel meaning garden of God.
- While mostly female in English-speaking regions, Carmen has traditionally been given to males in Italian and Spanish-influenced communities.