Karma Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAR-muh //ˈkɑːrmə//
Origin: Sanskrit; English
Meaning: Sanskrit: action, fate; English: destiny
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Karma has its roots in the Sanskrit word "karman," which translates to "action" or "deed." This term is foundational in Hindu and Buddhist philosophies, where it denotes the principle of cause and effect, suggesting that an individual's actions influence their future experiences. The concept of karma is integral to these religions, shaping moral and ethical frameworks throughout centuries.
The term made its way into English through translations of religious texts and philosophical discussions in the 19th century, particularly as Western interest in Eastern spirituality grew during this period. Historically, the concept of karma has been referenced in various ancient texts, including the Vedas and the Upanishads, which date back to around 1500 BCE to 500 BCE.
The philosophical implications of karma were further elaborated in Buddhist texts, particularly during the 5th century BCE, where it became a central tenet of Buddhist teachings. The spread of these ideas through trade routes and cultural exchanges helped to establish karma as a significant concept beyond its original cultural context, influencing various philosophical and spiritual movements.
Culturally, the name Karma embodies notions of balance, justice, and moral responsibility, resonating with those who appreciate its philosophical depth. In addition to its spiritual significance, the name has been embraced in various artistic and literary contexts, often symbolizing the interconnectedness of actions and consequences.
While diminutive forms are less common, the name's simplicity and profound meaning contribute to its enduring appeal in various cultures, reflecting a broader interest in spirituality and ethical living.
Famous people named Karma
In this section, you will find notable people named Karma. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Karma who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Karma who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Karma is a musician best known for her work in the electronic music genre.
Karma is a singer-songwriter best known for her hit singles and collaborations in the pop music scene.
Fictional characters named Karma
The following list of fictional characters named Karma is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Karma is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Naruto. They are a member of the Akatsuki organization and play a significant role in the series' overarching conflict.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Karma, 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 Karma. 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 Karma was first seen in the United States in 1915.
Karma has ranked as high as #1006 nationally, which occurred in 2009, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Ohio, Utah, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Karma has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Karma 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 Karma was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Karma (2024)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 15 | |
| GA | 10 | |
| IL | 9 | |
| NC | 9 | |
| CA | 8 | |
| FL | 8 | |
| OH | 7 | |
| PA | 7 | |
| NY | 6 | |
| LA | 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 Karma.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 149 |
| 2023 | 199 |
| 2022 | 176 |
| 2021 | 174 |
| 2020 | 196 |
| 2019 | 194 |
| 2018 | 191 |
| 2017 | 209 |
| 2016 | 204 |
| 2015 | 214 |
| 2014 | 254 |
| 2013 | 263 |
| 2012 | 291 |
| 2011 | 258 |
| 2010 | 297 |
| 2009 | 375 |
| 2008 | 333 |
| 2007 | 325 |
| 2006 | 313 |
| 2005 | 298 |
| 2004 | 94 |
| 2003 | 58 |
| 2002 | 61 |
| 2001 | 71 |
| 2000 | 56 |
| 1999 | 40 |
| 1998 | 33 |
| 1997 | 30 |
| 1996 | 10 |
| 1995 | 12 |
| 1994 | 23 |
| 1993 | 15 |
| 1992 | 15 |
| 1990 | 8 |
| 1989 | 15 |
| 1988 | 14 |
| 1987 | 13 |
| 1986 | 14 |
| 1985 | 15 |
| 1984 | 26 |
| 1983 | 40 |
| 1982 | 18 |
| 1981 | 34 |
| 1980 | 31 |
| 1979 | 40 |
| 1978 | 39 |
| 1977 | 47 |
| 1976 | 48 |
| 1975 | 47 |
| 1974 | 71 |
| 1973 | 78 |
| 1972 | 65 |
| 1971 | 77 |
| 1970 | 66 |
| 1969 | 30 |
| 1968 | 33 |
| 1967 | 30 |
| 1966 | 31 |
| 1965 | 35 |
| 1964 | 29 |
| 1963 | 40 |
| 1962 | 42 |
| 1961 | 40 |
| 1960 | 26 |
| 1959 | 47 |
| 1958 | 54 |
| 1957 | 50 |
| 1956 | 34 |
| 1955 | 31 |
| 1954 | 24 |
| 1953 | 37 |
| 1952 | 24 |
| 1951 | 16 |
| 1950 | 27 |
| 1949 | 31 |
| 1948 | 24 |
| 1947 | 21 |
| 1946 | 33 |
| 1945 | 16 |
| 1944 | 26 |
| 1943 | 24 |
| 1942 | 20 |
| 1941 | 14 |
| 1940 | 23 |
| 1939 | 23 |
| 1938 | 24 |
| 1937 | 18 |
| 1936 | 19 |
| 1935 | 13 |
| 1934 | 18 |
| 1933 | 18 |
| 1932 | 19 |
| 1931 | 21 |
| 1930 | 12 |
| 1929 | 11 |
| 1928 | 23 |
| 1927 | 9 |
| 1926 | 7 |
| 1925 | 15 |
| 1924 | 7 |
| 1923 | 8 |
| 1922 | 16 |
| 1921 | 8 |
| 1920 | 9 |
| 1919 | 11 |
| 1917 | 6 |
| 1915 | 6 |