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Home › Baby Names Directory › Karma

Karma

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAR-mah /ˈkɑːr.mə/Low

Meaning: Action, deed; the cycle of cause and effectLow

In 30 seconds: Karma is a Sanskrit name meaning action or deed, referring to the Hindu and Buddhist concept of cause and effect — the idea that every action creates corresponding consequences. As a girl's name it has a cool, philosophical depth.
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Origin LowSanskrit, Hindi
MeaningAction, deed; the cycle of cause and effect
U.S. rank (2025)#1706 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births120 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2009
Total births (all-time)≈ 7,590

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200919152025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Karma derives from the Sanskrit karma meaning action, deed, or work. In Hindu philosophy it refers to the law of cause and effect — good deeds generate positive consequences, harmful deeds generate negative ones. As a given name it has been used in Buddhist and Hindu communities and has spread internationally.

In the West, Karma is used as a given name drawing on the Sanskrit concept's widespread cultural understanding. It has a philosophical depth combined with a crisp two-syllable sound that gives it genuine naming appeal.

Did you know? The concept of karma appears in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism — making it one of the most cross-denominational spiritual concepts in South Asian religion. Taylor Swift's song Karma (2022) brought the name back to mainstream cultural awareness.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name: Karma

Variations

KarmaKarmanKarme

Nicknames

KarKarmi

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Karma…

Maya— Sanskrit/Buddhist concept name of same tradition
Bodhi— Sanskrit enlightenment name of same Buddhist tradition
Roma— shares the -ma ending
Kamya— another Sanskrit name
Meera— a fellow Sanskrit choice

Explore names like Karma

By themesanskrittwo-syllablehindubuddhistphilosophical

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Frequently Asked

What does Karma mean?

Karma means action or deed in Sanskrit, referring to the Hindu and Buddhist concept of cause and effect.

Is Karma a popular name?

Karma is used in South Asian communities and broadly among parents drawn to its philosophical depth and crisp two-syllable sound.

How do you pronounce Karma?

Karma is pronounced KAR-mah with two syllables.

What names are similar to Karma?

Similar Sanskrit/Buddhist names include Maya, Dharma, Ananda, and Bodhi.

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