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Carmela

♀ Girl

Pronounced kar-MEL-uh /kɑːrˈmɛl.ə/High

Meaning: Garden or vineyard; from Hebrew Karmel (garden, vineyard of God) via Spanish Carmen and Italian CarmelaHigh

In 30 seconds: The Italian and Spanish form of Carmen, from Hebrew Karmel (garden, vineyard of God) — the sacred mountain in Israel where the prophet Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal. A warm, musical Italian name with both biblical and operatic resonance.

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Origin HighHebrew, Italian, Spanish

MeaningGarden or vineyard; from Hebrew Karmel (garden, vineyard of God) via Spanish Carmen and Italian Carmela

U.S. rank (2024)#1155 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births208 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1923

Total births (all-time)≈ 24,318

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

Carmela is the Italian diminutive of Carmine or Carmen, from the Hebrew place name Karmel (garden, vineyard of God). Mount Carmel in Israel is a sacred site associated with the prophet Elijah. The Carmelite religious order takes its name from this mountain.

Carmela has been used in Italian American communities since the late 19th century. It gained broad cultural visibility through the character Carmela Soprano in The Sopranos (1999–2007). It ranked #1155 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? The word 'caramel' — that deeply satisfying brown sugar confection — shares its etymological neighborhood with Carmela. Both ultimately trace through Arabic and Spanish forms related to 'garden' or 'garden-sweet,' though the caramel connection is indirect.

Overall data confidence 92%

Behind the Name — Carmela — Hebrew/Italian etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

CarmenCarmelita

Nicknames

CarmiCarmMela

Famous Bearers

★Carmela Soprano (fictional)
The wife of Tony Soprano in HBO's The Sopranos (1999–2007), played by Edie Falco.

If you like Carmela…

Carmen— the Spanish form of the same Hebrew Karmel root

Camila— Italian/Latin feminine name with the same warm Mediterranean elegance

Carla— Italian/Germanic feminine name with a similar warm Italian feel

Valentina— four-syllable Italian feminine name in the same romantic tradition

Explore names like Carmela

By themehebrew spanish biblical italian three-syllable garden

By meaningGod / Divine Earth / Nature

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Carmela mean?

Carmela means 'garden' or 'vineyard of God,' from Hebrew Karmel (the sacred mountain associated with the prophet Elijah).

How do you pronounce Carmela?

It's said kar-MEL-uh — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Carmela a boy or girl name?

Carmela is used as a girls' name.

How popular is Carmela?

Carmela ranked #1155 for U.S. girls in 2024.