Carmilla is an intriguing, feminine given name of Italian origin, derived from the Latin word 'carmen', which means 'song' or 'hymn'. It was popularized in English-speaking countries by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's Gothic novella, 'Carmilla', published in 1872. The story follows a vampire named Carmilla who preys upon the blood of her female victims, a unique twist on the traditional vampire lore that has contributed to the name's enduring appeal.
"Carmilla has seen varied popularity over the years, with peaks like 15 births in 1921 and 14 in 1977, but generally it's been a steadily uncommon name, averaging around 6-10 births per year since the 1980s."