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Carmen Unisex

Popularity: #373 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationCAR-men / /ˈkɑːr.mən/

Latin; Spanish

Meaning

Latin: song; Spanish: garden

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Carmen has its roots in the Latin word "carmen," which means "song" or "poem." This term evolved from the earlier Latin verb "carminare," which means "to compose a song." The name entered the English language through the influence of Spanish and Italian cultures, where it became associated with the Virgin Mary as "Nuestra Señora del Carmen" or "Our Lady of Mount Carmel," a title that reflects the name's religious significance. The association with the Virgin Mary is particularly notable, as the Carmelites, a religious order founded in the 12th century, adopted this title, further embedding the name in Christian tradition.

Historically, the name Carmen has been borne by various notable figures, including the Spanish composer and conductor Carmen de la Torre in the 20th century. The name gained literary prominence through the opera "Carmen" by Georges Bizet, first performed in 1875, which is based on a novella by Prosper Mérimée. This work has had a lasting impact on the arts and has contributed to the name's cultural resonance, often evoking themes of passion and tragedy.

Carmen also carries symbolic associations with strength and independence, often linked to the character of Carmen in the aforementioned opera, who is portrayed as a strong-willed and free-spirited woman. The name has been embraced in various cultures, often celebrated for its lyrical quality and connection to artistic expression. Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Carmela" or "Carmine" have emerged in different linguistic contexts, reflecting the name's adaptability and enduring appeal across generations.

Trend Summary

Carmen has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., peaking in the early to mid-20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Carmine
  • Carmela
  • Carmel

International Variants

  • Carmine (Italian)
  • Carmela (Spanish)
  • Karmen (Slavic)

Famous people named Carmen

Carmen Electra is an actress and model best known for Baywatch, Scary Movie, and Singled Out.

Carmen Miranda was a singer and actress best known for The Gang's All Here, That Night in Rio, and The Lady in the Tutti Frutti Hat.

Carmen Luvana is a former actress best known for her work in the adult film industry before retiring.

Carmen de Lavallade is a dancer and actress best known for her work with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Dance Theatre of Harlem, and her Broadway performances.

Fictional characters named Carmen

Carmen Sandiego is a fictional character from the educational media franchise Carmen Sandiego. She is a master thief known for her intelligence and cunning, often leading players on adventures to track her down while teaching geography and history.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Carmen was first seen in the United States in 1881. Carmen has ranked as high as #308 nationally, which occurred in 1960, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Illinois, and Florida. In the past 5 years the name Carmen has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Carmen (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 82
12%
TX 79
11%
OH 39
6%
FL 38
5%
NC 35
5%
NY 31
4%
GA 29
4%
IL 23
3%
AZ 23
3%
VA 20
3%
MO 19
3%
LA 19
3%
CO 17
2%
WA 16
2%
WI 16
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18817
18827
18838
188414
188524
188616
188712
188826
188927
189028
189131
189241
189339
189449
189529
189648
189753
189863
189938
190091
190176
190275
190390
190480
190589
1906135
1907125
1908122
1909157
1910181
1911199
1912231
1913300
1914374
1915483
1916508
1917559
1918637
1919632
1920757
1921776
1922783
1923925
1924942
1925939
1926956
19271,019
19281,017
19291,066
19301,044
1931934
1932886
1933832
1934852
1935830
1936847
1937775
1938793
1939776
1940823
1941956
1942991
19431,036
1944942
1945872
19461,071
19471,237
19481,309
19491,455
19501,460
19511,567
19521,608
19531,725
19541,784
19552,047
19562,206
19572,219
19582,121
19592,216
19602,439
19612,401
19622,411
19632,346
19642,377
19652,147
19662,122
19672,174
19682,269
19692,199
19702,202
19712,139
19721,969
19731,757
19741,749
19751,776
19761,616
19771,629
19781,427
19791,610
19801,459
19811,446
19821,315
19831,228
19841,299
19851,168
19861,199
19871,151
19881,170
19891,187
19901,314
19911,235
19921,205
19931,092
19941,167
19951,004
1996869
19971,012
19981,121
19991,139
20001,195
20011,175
20021,020
20031,291
20041,363
20051,227
20061,284
20071,244
20081,312
20091,106
20101,017
2011919
2012943
2013880
2014855
2015859
2016829
2017776
2018733
2019741
2020706
2021716
2022693
2023712
2024751