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Home › Baby Names Directory › Samsara

Samsara

♀ Girl

Pronounced sum-SAH-ruh /səmˈsɑː.rə/Medium

Meaning: From Sanskrit samsara, literally 'wandering through' — the cycle of birth, death and rebirth central to Hindu, Buddhist and Jain teaching, from which liberation (moksha or nirvana) is sought. It is a religious concept rather than a traditional personal name, which we note respectfully.Medium

In 30 seconds: Samsara is the Sanskrit name for the cycle of birth, death and rebirth (said 'sum-SAH-ruh') — a religious concept, not a traditional given name, which we note respectfully.
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Origin MediumSanskrit
MeaningFrom Sanskrit samsara, literally 'wandering through' — the cycle of birth, death and rebirth central to Hindu, Buddhist and Jain teaching, from which liberation (moksha or nirvana) is sought. It is a religious concept rather than a traditional personal name, which we note respectfully.
U.S. rank (2024)#14922 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2004
Total births (all-time)≈ 52

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201719912024

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

Samsara is a Sanskrit term at the heart of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain thought: the continuing round of birth, death and rebirth, from which liberation is the goal. Its literal sense is 'wandering through'. In the West it has been picked up as a girl's name for its sound and its air of depth, but it is a religious concept rather than a traditional given name in India, which we note respectfully (said 'sum-SAH-ruh').

In the U.S. it appears only rarely for girls. Rare, resonant, and philosophically weighty.

Did you know? Samsara means 'wandering through' — the round of birth, death and rebirth that Hindu, Buddhist and Jain teaching seeks release from. It is a doctrine, not a traditional personal name, so families choosing it should know what it carries, which we note respectfully.
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Samsara — Sanskrit samsara 'wandering through'; cycle of rebirth in Hindu/Buddhist/Jain thought

Variations

SansaraSamsarahSansaara

Nicknames

SamSara

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Samsara…

Samara— a near-namesake in sound
Sahara— a like three-beat, open-voweled name
Amara— a like flowing choice with the same ending
Sahasra— lands in the same popularity range
Sisira— echoes that soft -ra sound

Explore names like Samsara

By themeword-namesanskritreligiousuncommon

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Samsara mean?

Samsara is Sanskrit for the cycle of birth, death and rebirth — a religious concept in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain teaching, which we note respectfully.

How do you pronounce Samsara?

It's said sum-SAH-ruh /səmˈsɑː.rə/ — three beats, stress on the middle.

Is Samsara a boy or girl name?

Samsara is used as a girl's name in the West; in India it is a doctrinal term rather than a name.

How popular is Samsara?

Samsara is a very rare name for girls in the U.S.

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