UK girl's name
Karmel
A place name relating to fertile or cultivated land.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2012. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Karmel is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Karmel popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2012 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5876, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2007, with 6 births.
This profile covers 12 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2003 to 2012. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 12 living people in the UK are called Karmel. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2013 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Karmel ranked #5876 for girls in England and Wales in 2012, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2007, when 6 girls were registered as Karmel.
- • About 12 living people in the UK are estimated to have Karmel as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5876
2012
Births in 2012
3
Latest year
Peak year
2007
6 births
Estimated living
12
2026
Meaning
What does Karmel mean?
The name Karmel has its origins in the Hebrew language, where it is derived from the word "kerem," meaning vineyard or orchard. This suggests that the name may have originated in ancient times, when agriculture and the cultivation of crops played a significant role in the lives of people in the Middle East.
The name Karmel is closely associated with Mount Carmel, a mountain range in northern Israel that stretches from the Mediterranean Sea towards the eastern regions of the Galilee. This mountain range is mentioned in several ancient texts, including the Bible, where it is described as a place of beauty and fertility, known for its lush vegetation and vineyards.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Karmel can be found in the Book of Kings in the Old Testament of the Bible. It refers to the Prophet Elijah, who confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel in a famous contest to determine the true God. This event is considered a significant moment in the history of the Israelites and their monotheistic beliefs.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Karmel. One such person was Karmel Avn Nahar (born around 1150 CE), a Jewish philosopher and poet from Spain. He was known for his contributions to the field of poetry and his writings on ethical and religious subjects.
Another prominent figure with the name Karmel was Karmel Bulcke (1950-2014), a Belgian businessman who served as the Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé S.A., one of the world's largest food and beverage companies, from 2008 to 2014.
In the realm of sports, Karmel Smith (born 1989) is a Jamaican sprinter who specializes in the 100 meters and 200 meters events. She has represented Jamaica in numerous international competitions, including the Olympic Games and World Championships.
Karmel Allison (born 1958) is an American singer and songwriter known for her contributions to the genres of jazz, soul, and R&B. She has released several albums and has collaborated with renowned musicians throughout her career.
Lastly, Karmel Timmons (born 1977) is an American actress and model who has appeared in various television shows and films, including "The Parkers" and "The Game."
These examples showcase the diverse backgrounds and achievements of individuals who have borne the name Karmel throughout history, reflecting its enduring presence across different cultures and time periods.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Karmel over time
The chart below shows babies named Karmel registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2003 to 2012. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Karmel, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2012, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Karmel by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Karmel was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5876 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3796 | 9 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Karmel
- Katie 53,185
- Keira 14,411
- Katherine 11,323
- Kayleigh 10,677
- Kate 10,276
- Kelsey 7,224
- Kiera 7,218
- Kayla 6,541
- Kirsty 6,384
- Khadija 5,948
- Kimberley 5,189
- Kaitlyn 5,137
FAQ
Karmel: questions and answers
How popular is the name Karmel in the UK right now?
In 2012, Karmel was ranked #5876 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Karmel most popular?
The peak year on record was 2007, with 6 babies registered as Karmel in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Karmel?
A place name relating to fertile or cultivated land.
How many people are called Karmel in the UK?
A total of 12 babies have been registered as Karmel across the 3 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.