Holding steady, #1,034 for boys today.
Popularity of Carmine since 1891
Babies named Carmine per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2006, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Carmine's real moment was 1912.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 22 |
| 1900s | 148 |
| 1910s | 1,345 |
| 1920s | 2,126 |
| 1930s | 1,470 |
| 1940s | 1,211 |
| 1950s | 1,200 |
| 1960s | 1,087 |
| 1970s | 732 |
| 1980s | 583 |
| 1990s | 455 |
| 2000s | 1,243 |
| 2010s | 1,338 |
| 2020s | 990 |
Meaning & origin
Carmine is an Italian name with deep roots in Southern Italian and Italian-American culture. First recorded in U.S. data in 1891, the name saw its peak popularity in 1912, when it ranked highest among Italian immigrant families. Today, in 2025, it holds a rank of 1034, with a steady trajectory of modest use: about 1 in every 7,982 boys receives the name. It is most common in states with historic Italian-American populations, including Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. The name's strong ties to the Madonna del Carmine give it a distinct religious and cultural resonance, while its sound fits easily into English pronunciation.
Carmine is the Italian form of the Latin name Carmine, itself derived from the Hebrew Karmel, meaning 'garden' or 'orchard'. In Italian, it is often associated with devotion to the Madonna del Carmine (Our Lady of Mount Carmel). The name has been common in southern Italy and among Italian-American communities since the 19th century.
Where Carmine is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Car, Mine, Carm
Sibling names for Carmine
Names that share Carmine's style, for a brother or sister.
