Uma

♀ Girl

Pronounced OOM-a /ˈum.æ/Medium

Meaning: FlaxMedium

In 30 seconds: Uma means 'flax' and comes from Hindu tradition. It is a short, two-syllable name with a soft, open sound.

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Origin MediumHinduism, Telugu, Kannada

MeaningFlax

U.S. rank (2024)#2736 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births63 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2006

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,845

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

Uma is a Hindu name meaning 'flax,' a plant-rooted sense that gives it an earthy simplicity. Its brevity and easy pronunciation have helped it spread well beyond its origins. Bearers include Uma Devi Badi and Uma Anand.

With just two open vowels framing a single consonant, Uma is one of the more streamlined names in its tradition, which is part of why it carries so cleanly across languages.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Uma is 'flax', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 70%

Behind the Name - Uma — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Uma Devi Badi (1965–present)
Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.
★Uma Anand (1923–2009)
Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.

If you like Uma…

Mira— Shares the brief, vowel-led rhythm common to names of this tradition.

Tara— A similarly compact name from the same cultural sphere.

Priya— another Hinduism name

Navya— a similarly popular pick

Reva— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Uma

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Uma mean?

Uma is usually explained as meaning 'flax' and is most often linked with Hinduism tradition.

How do you pronounce Uma?

It's commonly said OOM-a /ˈum.æ/.

Is Uma a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Uma is used as a girl name.

How popular is Uma?

In 2024, Uma ranked #2736 in the U.S. for girls, with 63 births recorded.