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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Free woman
- Origin
- Germanic
- Gender
- Used for both boys and girls
- Pronunciation
- KAR-luh
Carla is a Germanic name that means "free woman", and it's pronounced KAR-luh. You may see lists that add "celebration" as a second meaning, but no etymological source supports that gloss, so "free woman" is the only meaning to rely on.
Meaning & Origin of Carla
Meaning: Free woman.
Origin: Germanic.
A common claim: Means 'free woman'; some lists add 'celebration' as a second meaning Actually: The added 'celebration' gloss in one list isn't supported by any etymological source — it looks invented, possibly to fit a New Year's-themed list.
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Carla
KAR-luhIPA /ˈkɑːr.lə/
Popularity of Carla
Carla peaked at #76 in 1965, when 4,781 babies were given the name. By 2024 it had slipped to #1012 with 252 babies, so it's now a rarely heard name that still carries a familiar, established feel.
Names Like Carla
These names have followed a similar path to Carla in U.S. popularity over the years.
FAQ
What does the name Carla mean?
Free woman. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Carla?
Carla is pronounced KAR-luh (IPA: /ˈkɑːr.lə/).
Is Carla a popular name right now?
Carla peaked at #76 in 1965 and is ranked #1012 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1890–2024.)
Make Carla Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Carla, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Carla? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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