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Ximena vs Carmen

Which is more popular?
Ximena is more popular than Carmen today: about 1,686 US babies were given the name Ximena in 2025, compared with 798 named Carmen.
XimenaCarmen
Meaning uncertain; medieval Iberian garden / Mount Carmel
Origin spanish spanish
Gender Girl Girl
Pronunciation hee-MEH-nah KAR-men
Syllables 3 2
First appeared19661881
Peak year2016 (2,680)1960 (2,440)
In 20251,686798
TrendRisingDeclining
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Ximena Carmen
1900192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeXimenaCarmen
2020s 11,294 4,381
2010s 21,026 8,556
2000s 6,801 12,217
1990s 385 11,158
1980s 89 12,624
1970s 56 17,873
1960s 5 22,888
1950s 0 18,953
1940s 0 10,692
1930s 0 8,569
1920s 0 9,180
1910s 0 4,104
1900s 0 1,040
1890s 0 419
1880s 0 141

What does Ximena mean?

An old Iberian name (also spelled Jimena; the archaic X represents the sound later written J) of genuinely uncertain origin. The main theories derive it from the Basque seme 'son', or treat it as a feminine of Simon/Simeon (Hebrew Shim'on, 'he has heard'). Neither is settled. Famous as the wife of El Cid.

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 Ximena or Carmen more popular?

Ximena is more popular than Carmen today: about 1,686 US babies were given the name Ximena in 2025, compared with 798 named Carmen.

What is the difference between Ximena and Carmen?

Ximena means uncertain; medieval Iberian (spanish origin), while Carmen means garden / Mount Carmel (spanish origin).

Which name is older, Ximena or Carmen?

In US records, Ximena first appears in 1966 and Carmen in 1881, so Carmen has the longer recorded history.