Burma
A name of unknown meaning adopted for the country now called Myanmar.
Name Census estimates that about 271 living Americans carry the first name Burma. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Burma today is around 79 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Burma births was 1941 (47 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Burma. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Burma is about 79 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Burmas were born before 1957.
People living today
271
~ 1 in 1,264,776 Americans
Peak year
1941
47 babies that year
Average age
79
years old
1965 SSA rank
#5,878
Tracked since 1896
Popularity
Burma: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Burma from the 1890s through to the 1960s, spanning 8 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1940s, with 309 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1940s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Burma by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Burma during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Burmas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 6 states and territories. Alabama, Georgia, Florida recorded the most babies named Burma, while North Carolina, Mississippi, Kentucky recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 20 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Burma
The name Burma has its origins in the ancient Pyu city-states of what is now modern-day Myanmar (formerly Burma). It is thought to be derived from the Pyu word "Byammā" which translates to "finely braided hair" or "beautifully coiffed". The Pyu people were one of the earliest civilizations to inhabit the region, flourishing between the 1st and 9th centuries AD.
The name is believed to have been first recorded in the 7th century AD on stone inscriptions found in the ancient Pyu city of Halingyi. These inscriptions reference a Pyu ruler named Byammā who was revered for her beauty and intricate hairstyles. Over time, the name was likely adopted and adapted by other ethnic groups in the region, leading to variations in spelling and pronunciation.
One of the earliest known individuals to bear the name was Queen Byammā of the Pyu Kingdom, who ruled in the 7th century AD. She is celebrated in Pyu mythology for her wisdom, compassion, and skill in diplomatic negotiations with neighboring kingdoms.
In the 11th century, a renowned Buddhist monk named Byammā Bala is said to have traveled extensively throughout Southeast Asia, spreading the teachings of Buddhism. His writings and sermons are still studied and revered by many Buddhists today.
During the Bagan period (11th-13th centuries), there are records of a talented artist and architect named Byammā who is credited with designing and overseeing the construction of several iconic Buddhist temples and pagodas, including the renowned Ananda Temple.
In the 16th century, a Burmese warrior and military strategist named Byammā Nyo is celebrated for her bravery and leadership in defending her homeland against foreign invaders. Her tactical skills and unwavering courage are said to have inspired generations of soldiers and leaders.
Throughout history, the name Burma has been associated with individuals of remarkable beauty, wisdom, artistic talent, and strength of character. While its origins can be traced back to the ancient Pyu civilization, it has transcended cultural boundaries and continues to be cherished and celebrated across Myanmar and the broader region.
People
Burma + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Burma as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with B
Other first names starting with B with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Burma: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Burma?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 271 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Burma going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,264,776 US residents.
Is Burma a common name?
We classify Burma as "Very Rare". It ranks above 78.1% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 931 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Burma most popular?
The single biggest year for Burma was 1941, when 47 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Burma is about 79 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Burma a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Burma in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.