Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Rama

Rama

♂ Boy

Pronounced RAH-muh /ˈrɑː.mə/High

Meaning: From Sanskrit Rama, 'pleasing; charming' (also read as 'dark-hued'). Rama is a major deity in Hinduism — the seventh avatar of Vishnu and the hero of the Ramayana, revered as an ideal of duty and righteousness. The name is given with that reverence in mind.Medium

In 30 seconds: A revered name: Rama means 'pleasing; charming' in Sanskrit and belongs to a major Hindu deity, hero of the Ramayana (said 'RAH-muh').
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumSanskrit, Indian
MeaningFrom Sanskrit Rama, 'pleasing; charming' (also read as 'dark-hued'). Rama is a major deity in Hinduism — the seventh avatar of Vishnu and the hero of the Ramayana, revered as an ideal of duty and righteousness. The name is given with that reverence in mind.
U.S. rank (2024)#13723 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1974
Total births (all-time)≈ 265

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197419702024

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

Rama is Sanskrit for 'pleasing; charming', and it is above all the name of a major Hindu deity — the seventh avatar of Vishnu, hero of the Ramayana, honoured as a model of duty, courage, and righteousness. The name is ancient, sacred, and used with reverence across India and the Indian diaspora, often in compounds such as Ramachandra or Ramakrishna (said 'RAH-muh').

In the U.S. it is rare and carried chiefly by Hindu families. Rare, ancient, and deeply revered.

Did you know? Rama is the seventh avatar of Vishnu and the central figure of the Ramayana, one of India's great epics — his story is retold each year at Diwali. Families who choose the name do so with that reverence (said 'RAH-muh').
Overall data confidence 60%
References — Rama — Sanskrit 'pleasing'; Hindu deity, seventh avatar of Vishnu

Variations

RamRaamRamachandra

Nicknames

RamRamu

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Rama…

Krishna— another revered avatar of Vishnu
Arjun— a like epic-hero name from Sanskrit
Vishnu— the deity whose avatar Rama is
Karma— echoes that soft -ma sound
Soma— another Sanskrit name

Explore names like Rama

By themeclassicsanskritindianreligious
By meaningGift / Blessing

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Rama mean?

Rama means 'pleasing; charming' in Sanskrit. It is also the name of a major Hindu deity — the seventh avatar of Vishnu and hero of the Ramayana.

How do you pronounce Rama?

It's said RAH-muh /ˈrɑː.mə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Rama a boy or girl name?

Rama is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Rama?

Rama is a rare given name for boys in the U.S., though deeply familiar in India.

💬 Ask Nia