Karmela is of Slavic origin, derived from the word 'karmo', which means 'fortune' or 'lot'. It is a feminine given name that has been popular among Southern and Eastern European communities for centuries. In some cultures, Karmela may also have associations with the Latin name Carmela, which shares similar roots but has separate etymology tied to the word 'carminus', meaning 'garden' or 'vineyard'. The name Karmela, however, is predominantly of Slavic heritage and is often found in countries such as Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina. It is a unique and distinctive name that carries a sense of history and cultural richness.
The name Karmela experienced a notable increase in popularity over the past few decades, with consistent peaks occurring around every five years since 2003. The most significant spikes were seen between 2007 and 2009, with 13 births each year, and again from 2014 to 2016, where it consistently remained at or above 9 births per year. In recent years, the popularity of Karmela has continued to rise, reaching a new high of 15 births in 2019. Despite a slight dip in 2020 and 2022, with 12 and 13 births respectively, it rebounded again in 2023 with 11 births, indicating a steady trend upwards in popularity for the name Karmela.