Carla: Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity

Pronunciation: ka-hrla-h
Origin: Portugal
gender-female

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Emmy Samtani

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Updated on Apr 14, 2025 · 2 mins read
Region Origin: Europe
Meaning: Free man

The name Carla is a feminine name of German and Italian origins. It derives from the male name Carl, which is of German origin and comes from the German name Charles, meaning "free man". In the context of romantic languages, borrowing etymology from male names has always been common practice. Female names often evolved from classic male names by adding an 'a' to soften the sound, which is what makes Carla pleasing to the ear. This naming pattern is also observed in other languages and cultures, such as Latin, where the name means "strong one," and Old German, where it signifies "freeholder". The meaning of Carla can be interpreted as "free woman," "warrior," or "army". While the name has Germanic origins, it has been used in various languages and cultures, including English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and German. It is also worth noting that masculine variants of Carla include Carl, Charles, Carlo, Carlos, Carlito, Charlie, Chuck, Chas, and Chip, while feminine variations include Caroline, Charlene, Charlotte, Charlize, and Karla.

Carla Name Popularity Data

chat-overall Carla is currently #535 in the popularity of the name rankings.
gender-female Girl: Carla is currently #285 on Kiindred Girl Names
gender-male Overall Nature: Carla is currently #152 on Kiindred Nature Names
gender-female Girl Nature: Carla is currently #97 on Kiindred Girl Nature Names
gender-male Overall Unique: Carla is currently #527 on Kiindred Unique Names
gender-female Girl Unique: Carla is currently #284 on Kiindred Girl Unique Names

Popularity Trend Chart

Famous People Named Carla

This section lists notable individuals and public figures named Carla, showcasing their achievements and contributions in various fields.

  • Carla Bruni: Carla Bruni is an Italian-French singer-songwriter and former model who served as the First Lady of France from 2008 to 2012, married to President Nicolas Sarkozy.
  • Carla Zampatti: An Italian-Australian fashion designer, Zampatti is celebrated for her contributions to the world of fashion.

 

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