Kuma

♂ Boy

Pronounced KOO-mah /ˈku.mɑ/Medium

Meaning: From the Japanese kuma, 'a bear'; also a Swahili word ('certainty'); a word-name; routes layered; we note the word-nameLow

In 30 seconds: A bear: Kuma is a Japanese word-name. Crisp, modern, and warm (said 'KOO-mah').

💕 Browse more names

Origin LowJapanese

MeaningFrom the Japanese kuma, 'a bear'; also a Swahili word ('certainty'); a word-name; routes layered; we note the word-name

U.S. rank (2025)#13090 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 24

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Kuma comes from the Japanese kuma, 'a bear'; also a Swahili word ('certainty'); a word-name (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, modern name (said 'KOO-mah').

In the U.S. it appears as a modern word-name. Rare, a-bear at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Kuma means 'a bear' in Japanese (and is a Swahili word too) — a crisp, modern word-name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'KOO-mah').

Overall data confidence 32%

References — Kuma — word-name; routes layered

Variations

KumahKuman

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kuma…

Kenzo— a kin Japanese boys' name

Koa— a companion short boys' name

Kaito— lands in the same popularity range

Koi— another Japanese name

Kanon— a fellow Japanese choice

Explore names like Kuma

By themeuncertain word-name japanese

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Kuma mean?

Kuma is Japanese for 'a bear' (also a Swahili word); the routes are layered. We note the word-name.

How do you pronounce Kuma?

It's said KOO-mah /ˈku.mɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kuma a boy or girl name?

Kuma is a boy's name (used for both sexes in some families).

How popular is Kuma?

Kuma is a very rare name in the U.S.