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Catalina vs Carmen

Which is more popular?
Catalina is more popular than Carmen today: about 2,456 US babies were given the name Catalina in 2025, compared with 798 named Carmen.
CatalinaCarmen
Meaning uncertain; linked to 'pure' garden / Mount Carmel
Origin spanish spanish
Gender Girl Girl
Pronunciation kah-tah-LEE-nah KAR-men
Syllables 4 2
First appeared18931881
Peak year2025 (2,456)1960 (2,440)
In 20252,456798
TrendNear its peakDeclining
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Catalina Carmen
1900192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeCatalinaCarmen
2020s 11,909 4,381
2010s 9,369 8,556
2000s 3,742 12,217
1990s 2,236 11,158
1980s 1,304 12,624
1970s 1,001 17,873
1960s 678 22,888
1950s 538 18,953
1940s 422 10,692
1930s 616 8,569
1920s 817 9,180
1910s 278 4,104
1900s 73 1,040
1890s 26 419
1880s 0 141

What does Catalina mean?

The Spanish form of Katherine, from the Greek Aikaterine, whose original meaning is unknown. Early Christians associated it with the Greek katharos 'pure', which reshaped the spelling (with -th-), but that 'pure' sense is a later folk association rather than the true root.

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.

Frequently asked questions

Is Catalina or Carmen more popular?

Catalina is more popular than Carmen today: about 2,456 US babies were given the name Catalina in 2025, compared with 798 named Carmen.

What is the difference between Catalina and Carmen?

Catalina means uncertain; linked to 'pure' (spanish origin), while Carmen means garden / Mount Carmel (spanish origin).

Which name is older, Catalina or Carmen?

In US records, Catalina first appears in 1893 and Carmen in 1881, so Carmen has the longer recorded history.