Holding steady, #14,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Carlita since 1914
Babies named Carlita per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1985, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Carlita's real moment was 1973.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 11 |
| 1920s | 38 |
| 1930s | 60 |
| 1940s | 84 |
| 1950s | 143 |
| 1960s | 191 |
| 1970s | 334 |
| 1980s | 213 |
| 1990s | 149 |
| 2000s | 103 |
| 2010s | 44 |
| 2020s | 15 |
Meaning & origin
Carlita is a name that combines a classic root with a charming diminutive suffix, giving it a distinctly Spanish and Italian flair. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1914, but its popularity peaked much later, in 1973, when it reached its highest rank. Though never common, the name has maintained a stable presence over the decades, with a trajectory that shows consistent, if modest, usage. In 2025, Carlita ranks 14,942, with an estimated 1 in every 321,453 baby girls receiving the name. While its top states are not recorded due to its rarity, Carlita offers a melodic alternative to the more familiar Carla or Carlotta, keeping a timeless feel without being overly trendy.
Carlita is a feminine diminutive form of Carla, itself derived from Carlo, the Italian form of Charles. The root name Charles comes from the Germanic word *karlaz*, meaning 'free man'. The -ita suffix is a common Spanish and Italian diminutive, giving Carlita the sense of 'little Carla' or 'little free woman'. The name has been used in the United States since the early 20th century, with a peak in the 1970s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Carla, Carli, Lita, Cari
Sibling names for Carlita
Names that share Carlita's style, for a brother or sister.
