Meaning and history
Carmelita is a Spanish diminutive of Carmen. Carmen became a given name through the Catholic title Nuestra Señora del Carmen, “Our Lady of Mount Carmel.” Carmel ultimately derives from Hebrew Karmel, generally interpreted as “garden,” “orchard,” or “vineyard of God.” The diminutive ending adds affection rather than changing the meaning. Notable bearers include American sprinter Carmelita Jeter, an Olympic champion, and Cuban-American singer Carmelita Madriaga, professionally known as Carmelita.
20062006: 22 births, rank #5,906
2007: 18 births, rank #7,092
2008: 14 births, rank #8,529
2009: 24 births, rank #5,709
2010: 17 births, rank #7,217
20112011: 15 births, rank #7,783
2012: 24 births, rank #5,557
2013: 15 births, rank #7,748
2014: 15 births, rank #7,636
2015: 11 births, rank #9,481
20162016: 12 births, rank #8,875
2017: 13 births, rank #8,299
2018: 13 births, rank #8,146
2019: 9 births, rank #10,473
2020: 17 births, rank #6,629
20212021: 10 births, rank #9,562
2022: 10 births, rank #9,680
2023: no US SSA record for this spelling
2024: 15 births, rank #7,251
20252025: 14 births, rank #7,491
Carmelita moved from #894 to #970 for girls between 1973 and 1974. Its highest annual birth count came in 1973, with 140 births.