Declining since 2012, #7,491 for girls today.
Popularity of Karmella since 1960
Babies named Karmella per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 10 |
| 1970s | 16 |
| 1980s | 41 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 103 |
| 2010s | 228 |
| 2020s | 123 |
Meaning & origin
Karmella is a rare and modern name in the United States, first recorded in 1960. It peaked in 2012 with its highest usage, but since then its popularity has been declining. In 2025, it ranked 7,491, with an estimated 1 in every 114,805 baby girls receiving the name. The name has not appeared in any top state lists, suggesting its use is scattered across the country. Its origins are unclear; it may be a creative spelling of Carmella, linking it to the Hebrew word for garden, or a purely invented name. The name is distinct but unfamiliar, making it a choice for parents seeking something uncommon. Despite its rarity, it follows the fashionable -ella suffix pattern seen in names like Isabella and Gabriella.
Karmella appears to be a modern coinage, likely inspired by names like Carmella or Carmela, which themselves derive from the Hebrew word Karmel (meaning 'garden' or 'orchard') via the Carmel mountain in Israel. It may also be a blend of the popular -ella suffix with Kar- elements from names like Kara. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1960 but saw limited use until a significant rise in the 2000s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Karmy, Ella, Kari
Sibling names for Karmella
Names that share Karmella's style, for a brother or sister.
