Carmela
How to say it: kar-MEL-uh · /kɑrˈmɛlə/
Feminine Italian/Spanish form of Hebrew Carmel meaning 'garden' - tied to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Carmela was the 726th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 186 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1920s, its births are up about 35% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #640 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #726 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 186 |
| Share of births | 1 in 9,209 |
| Peak decade | 1920s |
| Change over 10 years | +35% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #640 |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Long after its high in the 1920s, Carmela remains in steady use far below that peak. The next few years promise a small lift.
What goes with it
Gentle and flowing with liquid sounds, Carmela feels warm and melodic. Rosalia and Marcella complement it well.
Nicknames
- Carm
- Mela
- Mel
Honouring a Carmela in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Carmela is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French, Hebrew, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish.
Famous people named Carmela
- Carmela Corren (1938–2022)Israeli singer and actress
- Carmela Zumbado (born 1991)American actress and social media personality
- Carmela Silva (born 1960)Spanish politician
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Good to know
- Carmela Soprano, wife of mob boss Tony Soprano in HBO's The Sopranos.
Keep exploring
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