Kama Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAH-mah //ˈkɑː.mə//
Origin: Sanskrit; Japanese
Meaning: Sanskrit: desire; Japanese: a variant of 'Kama' meaning 'fragrance'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kama has its roots in ancient languages and cultures, primarily deriving from the Sanskrit word 'kāma,' which translates to 'desire' or 'love.' This term is deeply embedded in Hindu philosophy and literature, where it represents one of the four aims of human life, known as 'purusharthas.' The concept of kāma encompasses not only romantic love but also aesthetic pleasure and emotional fulfillment, reflecting a holistic view of human experience. The transition of the name into other languages and cultures is less documented, but its significance in Indian traditions has allowed it to maintain a certain resonance.
Historically, Kama is also associated with the Hindu god of love, often depicted as a youthful figure wielding a bow and arrows, symbolizing the power of attraction and desire. This deity, known as Kamadeva, plays a pivotal role in various mythological narratives, including the famous tale of his attempt to disrupt the meditation of Lord Shiva, which ultimately led to significant cosmic events.
The reverence for Kamadeva can be traced back to ancient texts, including the Rigveda, which dates back to around 1500 BCE, and later works such as the 'Kama Sutra,' composed in the 3rd century CE, which further explores themes of love and desire. Culturally, the name Kama has been embraced in various forms across different regions, often symbolizing beauty, passion, and the complexities of human relationships.
In some traditions, it is associated with fertility and the celebration of love, making it a name of considerable significance in artistic and literary contexts. The name's enduring legacy is reflected in its appearances in classical literature and its symbolic associations with the deeper aspects of human emotion.
While diminutive forms or variations may exist, the essence of Kama remains closely tied to its original meanings and cultural implications.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kama, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Kama. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kama was first seen in the United States in 1954.
Kama has ranked as high as #1084 nationally, which occurred in 1970, and has been most popular in California, New York, and Oklahoma.
In the past 5 years the name Kama has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kama is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Kama was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Kama (1979)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Kama.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2000 | 15 |
| 1999 | 14 |
| 1998 | 23 |
| 1997 | 6 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1994 | 9 |
| 1993 | 5 |
| 1991 | 8 |
| 1990 | 10 |
| 1989 | 6 |
| 1988 | 6 |
| 1987 | 9 |
| 1986 | 13 |
| 1985 | 10 |
| 1984 | 15 |
| 1983 | 17 |
| 1982 | 20 |
| 1981 | 21 |
| 1980 | 18 |
| 1979 | 27 |
| 1978 | 27 |
| 1977 | 24 |
| 1976 | 16 |
| 1975 | 32 |
| 1974 | 29 |
| 1973 | 23 |
| 1972 | 37 |
| 1971 | 39 |
| 1970 | 39 |
| 1969 | 25 |
| 1968 | 14 |
| 1967 | 13 |
| 1966 | 13 |
| 1964 | 10 |
| 1963 | 10 |
| 1962 | 8 |
| 1961 | 9 |
| 1960 | 6 |
| 1959 | 9 |
| 1955 | 5 |
| 1954 | 6 |