Declining since 1985, #389 for girls today.
Popularity of Carmen since 1881
Babies named Carmen per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1960, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Carmen's real moment was 1968.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 141 | 0 |
| 1890s | 419 | 41 |
| 1900s | 1,040 | 143 |
| 1910s | 4,104 | 1,763 |
| 1920s | 9,180 | 3,155 |
| 1930s | 8,569 | 2,283 |
| 1940s | 10,692 | 2,220 |
| 1950s | 18,953 | 2,133 |
| 1960s | 22,888 | 1,647 |
| 1970s | 17,873 | 1,059 |
| 1980s | 12,624 | 812 |
| 1990s | 11,158 | 656 |
| 2000s | 12,217 | 464 |
| 2010s | 8,556 | 271 |
| 2020s | 4,381 | 314 |
Meaning & origin
Carmen is a name with deep roots in both Latin and Spanish culture, carrying the double meaning of 'song' in Latin and a reference to Mount Carmel in Hebrew. In the United States, it first appeared in official records in 1881 and saw its peak popularity in 1968 when it ranked among the top 250 names. Since 1985, its usage has been on a steady decline, and in the most recent year tracked (2025), the name was given to approximately 1 in every 2,014 girls, placing it at rank 389. Geographically, Carmen has shown particular strength in states like Mississippi, New Mexico, and Iowa, reflecting its enduring appeal in communities with strong Hispanic heritage. Its trajectory as a falling name since the mid-1980s mirrors broader shifts away from traditional Spanish names in favor of newer coinages, though it remains a recognizable and culturally significant choice.
Carmen originates as a Spanish form of the Hebrew name Carmel, meaning 'garden' or 'vineyard of God,' referring to Mount Carmel in Israel. In Latin, carmen means 'song' or 'poem,' giving the name a dual etymology. It gained prominence through the Virgin of Mount Carmel (Our Lady of Carmen), a title of the Virgin Mary particularly venerated in Spanish-speaking cultures. The name was popularized worldwide by Bizet's 1875 opera Carmen.
Where Carmen is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Carmen” around the world
Where Carmen lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
130
babies in 2024
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Carm, Carma, Carmi, Menchi
Sibling names for Carmen
Names that share Carmen's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Elena, Sofia, Isabella, Rosa, Lourdes, Anita, Delores, Deloris, Dolores, Elvira, Guadalupe, Inez, Juanita, Luz, Margarita, Maria, Maribel, Mercedes, Ramona, Susana, Alondra, Angelita, Benita, Bonita, Catalina, Chiquita, Consuelo, Doloris, Dulce, Felipa, Graciela, Hortencia, Ines, Jaunita, Josefina, Juana, Lizeth, Lolita, Lupe, Mariela, Marisela, Marisol, Mireya, Monserrat, Oralia, Pilar, Rosario, Rosita, Adelaida, Adelita, Amada, Annita, Belia, Carlita, Carmina, Clarita, Concha, Conchita, Consuela, Damita, Dominga, Enriqueta, Gracia, Jacinta, Janita, Jesusa, Jesusita, Josefa, Jovita, Junita, Lorita, Marilu, Marita, Mayte, Melena, Migdalia, Monserrath, Perla, Rosamaria, Rosaura, Rosia, Sanjuana, Sanjuanita, Santa, Teresita, Tomasa, Zoila, Aracelis, Aracelli, Argelia, Argentina, Bonnita, Buena, Cherita, Claritza, Conception, Conchetta, Consuella, Deloras, Dorita, Dulcemaria, Evita, Florita, Joaquina, Juanda, Laurita, Loida, Loyola, Lurdes, Luzmaria, Manuelita, Marguita, Marisabel, Marisel, Marycruz, Mery, Norita, Paulita, Ramonita, Ranita, Rosenda, Senora, Sulma, Tere, Tomasita, Tresia, Vicenta, Virgen, Yolando, Armenta, Asuncion, Barba, Belita, Burgandy, Carmita, Charo, Chinita, Consepcion, Damary, Josefita, Juanetta, Leather, Leonila, Macarena, Moncerrat, Nazaret, Nohelia, Tita, Tosca, Veleta, Ynez, Dorismar, Monserratt, Pura, Almendra, Anabelen, Calisa, Chavela, Chimene, Chonita, Corita, Delorese, Doloras, Ercilia, Feliza, Fermina, Juanna, Lucita, Mariadel, Mariadelaluz, Mariadelosang, Marianita, Martita, Monserrate, Paquita, Querida, Ramira, Sharmel, Silvina, Solita, Soyla, Telma, Yazmina
Brothers: Diego, Mateo, Antonio, Carlos, Manuel, Andres, Enrique, Jaime, Jorge, Jose, Julio, Luis, Pedro, Ramiro, Ramon, Raul, Rogelio, Rolando, Santos, Alfonzo, Alonso, Alonzo, Alphonso, Alvaro, Arturo, Benito, Bernabe, Domingo, Edwardo, Efrain, Efren, Fidel, Genaro, Gonzalo, Guillermo, Hilario, Ignacio, Isidro, Joseangel, Librado, Marcelino, Mariano, Montez, Pablo, Reinaldo, Rico, Rosendo, Salvador, Santo, Wilfredo, Adalberto, Alphonzo, Amado, Amando, Basilio, Braulio, Carlito, Cristo, Edmundo, Erasmo, Eugenio, Fermin, Hipolito, Horacio, Jacinto, Jamon, Joseluis, Josemanuel, Juaquin, Justo, Macario, Manolo, Maximino, Migel, Miguelangel, Modesto, Pascual, Ramone, Reymundo, Rojelio, Roque, Silvestre, Ulices, Valente, Vidal, Vincente, Ysidro, Ambrosio, Angelito, Antoino, Carlitos, Chavez, Chico, Cirilo, Edelmiro, Eleno, Emelio, Enrigue, Hernando, Jassiel, Jenaro, Jorgeluis, Jorje, Joseantonio, Josedejesus, Joselito, Josemiguel, Juanantonio, Juanito, Juanjose, Juanluis, Juanmanuel, Juliocesar, Justino, Magdaleno, Manual, Meliton, Merced, Nasario, Olegario, Oracio, Ramir, Rodriguez, Sanchez, Toribio, Urbano, Victorio, Alanzo, Benedicto, Canelo, Catalino, Delfin, Elijio, Fernandez, Graciano, Jjesus, Josemaria, Juandedios, Juanmiguel, Juvencio, Luisalberto, Luisantonio, Luisfernando, Nicasio, Paco, Pancho, Raymondo, Regino, Romon, Salbador, Tirso, Tonio, Trino, Ygnacio, Cleto, Inigo, Alfonsa, Amalio, Angeldejesus, Antolin, Atilano, Canuto, Carmell, Castulo, Cervando, Damaso, Erasto, Esiquio, Franciscojavier, Giomar, Hernandez, Josealberto, Josealfredo, Josecarlos, Joseguadalupe, Mando, Manolito, Manuelito, Medardo, Pepe, Ponce, Roldan, Sanjuan, Segundo, Tereso, Victormanuel, Visente, Ysmael
Names like Carmen
Names whose popularity has moved with Carmen's over the last 50 years.
