What does Carmilla mean and where does it come from?
Carmilla is a name that gained popularity through literary works, particularly from Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's famous Gothic novella 'Carmilla.' The name reflects themes of mystery and allure. Its connection to gothic horror gave the name a certain uniqueness and it has seen revivals in modern litera
Cultural significance
Carmilla has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in English-speaking communities, where it reflects values of a variant of carmen, meaning 'song' or 'poem'..
Peak popularity
Reached #2504 in 1921 — currently #9743 in the US.
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Related Reading
English-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →What middle names flow best with Carmilla?
Carmilla works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Carmilla Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Carmilla Rose
Floral · soft ending
Carmilla Mae
Sweet · timeless
Carmilla Claire
French influence · crisp
Carmilla Jane
Literary · strong
Carmilla Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Carmilla right now?
Rising fast — up 1660 spots — currently #9743 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2023 | #9743 | 10 | ▲ up 1660 · +25% births |
| 2022 | #11403 | 8 | ▲ up 3191 · +33% births |
| 2015 | #14594 | 6 | ▼ down 1430 · +20% births |
| 1990 | #13164 | 5 | ▼ down 7422 · -58% births |
| 1985 | #5742 | 12 | ▲ up 4875 · +140% births |
| 1980 | #10617 | 5 | ▼ down 5000 · -50% births |
| 1975 | #5617 | 10 | ▼ down 484 |
| 1970 | #5133 | 10 | ▲ up 1624 · +100% births |
| 1965 | #6757 | 5 | ▼ down 2185 · -44% births |
| 1960 | #4572 | 9 | ▼ down 44 · +13% births |
| 1955 | #4528 | 8 | ▼ down 384 · +33% births |
| 1915 | #4144 | 6 | — |
The story of Carmilla
Carmilla entered American naming records in 1915 and has been in use for over 109 years. With 416 total births recorded, Carmilla remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #4144 in 1915, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #9743 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Carmilla in 1921:
Carmilla by decade
Carmilla peaked in the 1920s. See all 1920s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1910s | 28 | |
| 1920s | 58 | |
| 1930s | 11 | |
| 1940s | 22 | |
| 1950s | 42 | |
| 1960s | 71 | |
| 1970s ★ | 85 | |
| 1980s | 59 | |
| 1990s | 18 | |
| 2010s | 22 | |
💎Carmilla has only 416 total recorded births since 1915 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.
What are good nicknames for Carmilla?
What names sound and feel like Carmilla?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Carmilla also consider these
Common questions about the name Carmilla
What does the name Carmilla mean?
Carmilla means "a variant of Carmen, meaning 'song' or 'poem'." — a name rooted in English tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Carmilla?
Carmilla is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Carmilla have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Carmilla?
Carmilla originates from English tradition. English names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Carmilla?
Carmilla is a three-syllable name pronounced K AA1 R M IH1 L L AA1. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
What sibling names go well with Carmilla?
Carmilla pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar English heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.