Carla Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationKAR-lah / /ˈkɑːr.lə/Italian; Spanish
Meaning
Italian: free woman; Spanish: strong
Historical & Cultural Background
Carla is a feminine form of the name Carlo, which is derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning 'man' or 'free man.' In Italian and Spanish cultures, the name has been popularized and is often associated with strength and independence. While traditionally a feminine name, it has been used for boys in some contexts, reflecting evolving naming conventions.
Trend Summary
Carla has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., with a notable decline in recent decades.
Similar Names
Variants
- Carlo
- Carl
International Variants
- Karol (Polish)
- Karla (German)
- Carlo (Italian)
Famous people named Carla
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Fictional characters named Carla
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Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Carla was first seen in the United States in 1946. Carla has ranked as high as #1069 nationally, which occurred in 1967, and has been most popular in California. In the past 5 years the name Carla has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Carla (1982)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1946 | 6 |
| 1947 | 5 |
| 1952 | 5 |
| 1953 | 7 |
| 1954 | 9 |
| 1955 | 7 |
| 1956 | 7 |
| 1957 | 8 |
| 1958 | 8 |
| 1959 | 7 |
| 1960 | 8 |
| 1961 | 12 |
| 1962 | 8 |
| 1963 | 12 |
| 1964 | 8 |
| 1965 | 14 |
| 1966 | 17 |
| 1967 | 19 |
| 1968 | 15 |
| 1969 | 6 |
| 1970 | 16 |
| 1971 | 10 |
| 1972 | 7 |
| 1973 | 8 |
| 1974 | 10 |
| 1975 | 10 |
| 1976 | 13 |
| 1977 | 8 |
| 1978 | 7 |
| 1979 | 9 |
| 1980 | 12 |
| 1981 | 14 |
| 1982 | 12 |
| 1983 | 13 |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1985 | 11 |
| 1986 | 11 |
| 1987 | 10 |
| 1989 | 9 |
| 1990 | 7 |
| 1991 | 10 |
| 1992 | 7 |
| 1994 | 6 |
| 1995 | 5 |