Carla

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAR-luh /ˈkɑːr.lə/High

Meaning: Free woman; Italian/Spanish feminine form of Carlo/Carlos, from Germanic karl (free man)High

In 30 seconds: The Italian and Spanish feminine form of Carlo/Carlos meaning 'free woman,' from the Germanic root karl. It was fashionable in the U.S. from the 1940s through the 1970s and retains a warm, classic feel.

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Origin HighGermanic, Italian

MeaningFree woman; Italian/Spanish feminine form of Carlo/Carlos, from Germanic karl (free man)

U.S. rank (2025)#1083 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births223 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1962

Total births (all-time)≈ 150,386

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Carla is the Italian and Spanish feminine form of Carlo (Italian) and Carlos (Spanish), which derive from the Latin Carolus, itself from the Germanic karl (free man). The same root gives Charles, Charlotte, and Caroline. It entered English use in the 20th century, especially in communities with Italian or Spanish heritage.

Carla reached its U.S. peak in the 1950s and 1960s, ranking in the top 100 for girls during that period. It has declined since then. Ranked #1012 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? Charles, Karl, Carlo, Carlos, Carla, Charlotte, and Caroline all descend from the same Germanic root karl — making Charlemagne's name the ultimate ancestor of one of the most productive naming families in Western history.

Overall data confidence 92%

Behind the Name — Carla — Germanic etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

KarlaKarla

Nicknames

CarCarly

Famous Bearers

★Carla Bruni (1967–present)
Italian-French singer-songwriter and model, former First Lady of France as wife of President Nicolas Sarkozy.

If you like Carla…

Carly— the diminutive form of Carla from the same root

Carlie— variant spelling in the same Karl- family

Charlotte— the French feminine form of the same Germanic root

Carolina— the Latinate feminine form of the same root

Camilla— Italian feminine name with the same classic, warm Mediterranean feel

Explore names like Carla

By themeclassic germanic italian feminine mid-century

By meaningFreedom

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Carla mean?

Carla means 'free woman,' as the Italian and Spanish feminine form of Carlo/Carlos, from Germanic karl (free man).

How do you pronounce Carla?

It's said KAR-luh — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Carla a boy or girl name?

Carla is the feminine form; Carlo/Carlos is masculine.

How popular is Carla?

Carla ranked #1012 for U.S. girls in 2024.