Find out how popular the first name Karma has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Karma by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Karma is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 96% of people named Karma being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 197 female babies and 21 male babies born with the name Karma.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 21 baby boys were named Karma in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Karma

The name Karma has its origins in the Sanskrit language, an ancient Indo-Aryan language that was widely used in the Indian subcontinent. The word "karma" itself means "action" or "deed" and is a central concept in several Indian religions, particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.

In Hinduism, Karma is the spiritual principle of cause and effect, where one's actions in this life determine their future circumstances. This belief is deeply rooted in the ancient Vedic texts, such as the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, which date back to around the 5th century BCE.

While the name Karma is not directly mentioned in these ancient texts, it has been used as a personal name for centuries in various parts of the Indian subcontinent. One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Karma was Karma Pakshi, a 2nd-century Indian Buddhist monk and scholar who is credited with introducing Buddhism to the Himalayan region.

Another notable figure bearing the name Karma was Karma Lingpa, a 14th-century Tibetan Buddhist lama and tertön (treasure revealer). He is revered for his discovery and preservation of numerous Buddhist teachings and practices.

In more recent history, Karma Thinley Wangchuk was a prominent Bhutanese politician and diplomat who served as the Prime Minister of Bhutan from 1968 to 1972. He played a crucial role in modernizing the country and establishing diplomatic relations with other nations.

Karma Chhering Sherpa was a Nepalese mountain guide and sumitteer, known for his multiple successful ascents of Mount Everest. He summited Everest a total of 12 times, making him one of the most accomplished mountain climbers in history.

Karma Lhatso was a Tibetan nun and former political prisoner who spent nearly two decades in Chinese prisons for her involvement in the Tibetan independence movement. She was recognized for her advocacy of human rights and religious freedom in Tibet.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the name Karma throughout history, reflecting its deep-rooted cultural and spiritual significance in various regions of South and East Asia.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Karma was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Karma, please contact us.

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