Karma Unisex

Popularity: #801 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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
18%
GA 10
12%
IL 9
11%
NC 9
11%
CA 8
10%
FL 8
10%
OH 7
8%
PA 7
8%
NY 6
7%
LA 5
6%

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.

YearBirths
2024149
2023199
2022176
2021174
2020196
2019194
2018191
2017209
2016204
2015214
2014254
2013263
2012291
2011258
2010297
2009375
2008333
2007325
2006313
2005298
200494
200358
200261
200171
200056
199940
199833
199730
199610
199512
199423
199315
199215
19908
198915
198814
198713
198614
198515
198426
198340
198218
198134
198031
197940
197839
197747
197648
197547
197471
197378
197265
197177
197066
196930
196833
196730
196631
196535
196429
196340
196242
196140
196026
195947
195854
195750
195634
195531
195424
195337
195224
195116
195027
194931
194824
194721
194633
194516
194426
194324
194220
194114
194023
193923
193824
193718
193619
193513
193418
193318
193219
193121
193012
192911
192823
19279
19267
192515
19247
19238
192216
19218
19209
191911
19176
19156