Omkar

♂ Boy

Pronounced OHM-kar /ˈoʊm.kɑːr/Medium

Meaning: From Sanskrit Omkara — the sacred syllable Om together with the suffix -kara ('the making; the sound'), so 'the sacred sound Om.' Om is held in Hindu and Buddhist tradition to be the primordial sound of creation, and Omkar is also used as a name of Shiva. A deeply religious name.Medium

In 30 seconds: A sacred Sanskrit name: Omkar is 'the sound of Om,' the primordial syllable — and a name of Shiva (said 'OHM-kar').

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Origin MediumSanskrit

MeaningFrom Sanskrit Omkara — the sacred syllable Om together with the suffix -kara ('the making; the sound'), so 'the sacred sound Om.' Om is held in Hindu and Buddhist tradition to be the primordial sound of creation, and Omkar is also used as a name of Shiva. A deeply religious name.

U.S. rank (2024)#13656 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2008

Total births (all-time)≈ 344

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

Omkar comes from Sanskrit Omkara: the sacred syllable Om plus -kara, 'the making; the utterance.' Om is regarded in Hindu and Buddhist practice as the primordial sound of the universe, opening prayers, mantras and scriptures. Omkar is also a title of Shiva — the Omkareshwar temple takes its name from the same root. Indian families give it with real devotional intent, which we note respectfully (said 'OHM-kar').

In the U.S. it is very rare for boys and reads as a heritage name. Rare, sacred, and resonant.

Did you know? In Hindu tradition Om (Aum) is not just a word but the primordial sound from which creation unfolds. Omkar names that sound itself, and is used as a name of Shiva — a name given with genuine reverence (said 'OHM-kar').

Overall data confidence 60%

References — Omkar — Sanskrit Omkara; sacred syllable Om; name of Shiva

Variations

OmkaraOnkarOm

Nicknames

OmKar

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Omkar mean?

Omkar is Sanskrit for 'the sacred sound Om' — the primordial syllable of Hindu and Buddhist tradition. It is also used as a name of Shiva.

How do you pronounce Omkar?

It's said OHM-kar /ˈoʊm.kɑːr/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Omkar a boy or girl name?

Omkar is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Omkar?

Omkar is a very rare name for boys in the U.S., though well used in India.