Carmen
Carmen first appears in US records in 1881. It peaked in 1960, when 2,440 girls were given the name; in 2025 there were 798.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Carmen popular?
Declining Carmen is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1960 peak.
| 2020s | 4,381 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 8,556 | |
| 2000s | 12,217 | |
| 1990s | 11,158 | |
| 1980s | 12,624 | |
| 1970s | 17,873 | |
| 1960s | 22,888 | |
| 1950s | 18,953 | |
| 1940s | 10,692 | |
| 1930s | 8,569 | |
| 1920s | 9,180 | |
| 1910s | 4,104 | |
| 1900s | 1,040 | |
| 1890s | 419 | |
| 1880s | 141 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Carmen mean?
A Marian devotional name from the title 'María del Carmen', Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Carmel comes from the Hebrew karmel 'garden, orchard, vineyard'. By coincidence the identical Latin word carmen means 'song, poem', which has reinforced the name's appeal.
Names like Carmen
spanish names with a similar feel and popularity.
Names that pair well with Carmen
Popular spanish names for a sibling or a middle name.
Compare Carmen
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Carmen mean?
Carmen means garden / Mount Carmel. A Marian devotional name from the title 'María del Carmen', Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Carmel comes from the Hebrew karmel 'garden, orchard, vineyard'. By coincidence the identical Latin word carmen means 'song, poem', which has reinforced the name's appeal.
What is the origin of the name Carmen?
Carmen is of spanish origin.
How do you pronounce Carmen?
Carmen is pronounced “KAR-men.”
Is Carmen a boy or a girl name?
Carmen is most commonly used as a girl name.
Is Carmen a popular name right now?
Carmen is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1960 peak.
How popular is the name Carmen?
In 2025, Carmen ranked #389 among girls’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Carmen most popular?
Carmen was most popular in 1960, when about 2,440 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What names are similar to Carmen?
Names similar to Carmen include Catalina, Ximena, Mariana, Lucía, Daniela.
What names go well with Carmen?
spanish names that pair well with Carmen include Linda, Benjamín, Mía, Angel, Mateo.