Karman
A surname of Armenian origin meaning "cultivator" or "farmer".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 720 Americans carry the last name Karman. That puts it at #36,736 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.21 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 476,048 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Karman surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
720
1 in 476,048
Census rank
#36,736
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
608
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 608 bearers of the surname Karman in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.21 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 36736th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Karman, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.3%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (3.1%) and Hispanic (1.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Karman
The surname Karman originates from India, with its earliest known origins dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "karma," which refers to the principle of cause and effect in Hindu and Buddhist philosophy. The name was likely adopted by individuals or families who were associated with the study or practice of this concept.
In ancient Indian texts and manuscripts, such as the Vedas and the Upanishads, the term "karma" is frequently mentioned and discussed in depth. While no specific historical records directly reference the surname Karman, its connection to this profound philosophical concept is well established.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Karman was Ravi Karman, a renowned scholar and philosopher who lived in the 17th century. He authored several influential works on the interpretation and application of karmic principles in daily life.
During the 18th century, the Karman family gained prominence in the region of Maharashtra, India. Shivaji Karman, born in 1725, was a respected military leader and strategist who played a pivotal role in the Maratha Empire's expansion and defense against foreign invasions.
In the 19th century, Anand Karman, born in 1842, was a celebrated poet and writer whose works explored the interplay between karma and human emotions. His poetic anthology, "Karmic Reflections," is widely studied and appreciated to this day.
Another notable figure with the surname Karman was Meera Karman, a pioneering social activist who lived from 1890 to 1978. She dedicated her life to advocating for women's rights and education, establishing several schools and vocational training centers across India.
The surname Karman has also been associated with various place names in India, such as Karmanagar, a town in the state of Uttar Pradesh, and Karmanvati, a historic city in present-day Gujarat. These place names may have derived from the same linguistic roots as the surname, further solidifying its connection to the region's cultural and spiritual heritage.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Karman
Among Census respondents with the surname Karman, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.3%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (3.1%) and Hispanic (1.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Karman bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Karman surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.3%
- Asian and Pacific Islander3.1%
- Hispanic or Latino1.8%
- American Indian and Alaska Native1.8%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Karman surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #36,736 | #36,736 | 0.0% |
| Count | 608 | 608 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.21 | 0.21 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Karman bearers went from 608 to 608 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #36,736 to #36,736.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Karman
FAQ
Karman surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Karman?
The surname Karman holds position #36,736 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 720 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.21 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Karman surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Karman, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.3%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (3.1%) and Hispanic (1.8%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.