Lama
A Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader or monk.
Name Census estimates that about 497 living Americans carry the first name Lama. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Lama today is around 21 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Lama births was 2019 (19 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Lama. 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.
People living today
497
~ 1 in 689,647 Americans
Peak year
2019
19 babies that year
Average age
21
years old
2024 SSA rank
#9,913
Tracked since 1978
Popularity
Lama: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Lama from the 1970s through to the 2020s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 154 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Lama remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Lama 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 Lama during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Lamas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Lama
The name Lama has its origins in Tibetan Buddhism, where it refers to a highly respected spiritual leader or teacher. The word "lama" itself is derived from the Tibetan word "bla-ma," which means "superior one" or "guru."
In Tibetan Buddhist tradition, lamas are individuals who have attained a high level of spiritual understanding and are considered enlightened beings. They serve as guides and mentors, helping others on their spiritual journey and providing teachings on various aspects of Buddhism.
The earliest known use of the title "lama" dates back to the 7th century CE, when it was used to refer to the spiritual leaders of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. Over time, the name gained prominence and became associated with revered figures in Tibetan Buddhism, such as the Dalai Lamas, who are considered the highest spiritual leaders of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.
One of the most famous lamas in history is Tsongkhapa (1357-1419), the founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. He played a crucial role in revitalizing and reforming Tibetan Buddhism, emphasizing the importance of strict monastic discipline and the study of Buddhist philosophy.
Another notable lama is Milarepa (1052-1135), a Tibetan Buddhist yogi and poet who is revered for his spiritual attainments and influential teachings. His life story, which involves overcoming adversity and achieving enlightenment, has inspired countless individuals throughout the centuries.
In the 19th century, Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-1892) was a highly respected lama known for his expertise in various Buddhist traditions and his efforts to preserve and promote the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism.
Yeshe Tsogyal (757-817), a renowned female lama and spiritual consort of Padmasambhava, played a crucial role in the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet. She is revered for her wisdom, spiritual accomplishments, and contributions to the preservation of Buddhist teachings.
Longchenpa (1308-1363), also known as Dri-med 'od-zer, was a highly influential Tibetan Buddhist scholar and lama renowned for his profound teachings on the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. His works, such as the "Seven Treasuries," are considered seminal texts in Tibetan Buddhist literature.
While the name Lama is closely associated with Tibetan Buddhism, it has also gained recognition and respect in other Buddhist traditions, as well as in various cultures influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, particularly in the Himalayan regions and parts of Asia.
People
Lama + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Lama as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with L
Other first names starting with L with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Lama: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Lama?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 497 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Lama 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 689,647 US residents.
Is Lama a common name?
We classify Lama as "Very Rare". It ranks above 84.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 507 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Lama most popular?
The single biggest year for Lama was 2019, when 19 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Lama is about 21 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Lama a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Lama 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.