Karma

Pronunciation: [ k-AHRM-uh ]

Girl Name #1,467 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

Ancient cosmic justice distilled into a child's name

American Hindu Buddhist New Age/Spiritual British

Spiritual Bold Unique Earthy Modern

Meaning & Origin

"fate, destiny shaped by one's actions"

Origin: Sanskrit

Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

Some religious families consider the Hindu/Buddhist philosophical term inappropriate as a given name
The phrase 'karma is a [expletive]' has established a vulgar idiomatic use in casual American speech

The Story of Karma

Karma comes from the Sanskrit word 'karman,' meaning 'action,' 'work,' or 'deed.' In Hindu and Buddhist philosophy, karma is the cosmic principle of cause and effect: intentional actions shape future experiences, across this life and beyond. The concept entered English in the 19th century through scholars studying Indian religions and became widely known in Western culture through the 1960s counterculture's embrace of Eastern spirituality.

Karma as a given name has grown alongside Western interest in Eastern spirituality and mindfulness. Taylor Swift's 2022 album 'Midnights' features the track 'Karma,' boosting pop culture awareness. The name appeals to parents who value spiritual concepts, universal justice, and meaningful word-names — naming their child the very idea that goodness returns to you.

In Hinduism and Buddhism, karma is a foundational metaphysical principle governing the universe. In contemporary Western culture, 'what goes around comes around' has made karma a widely understood concept far beyond religious contexts. The name carries an aspirational message: a life of good actions rewarded.

Fun Facts

The word karma has been in English dictionaries since 1827, introduced by scholars of Indian religion
Taylor Swift's 'Karma' (2022) became one of Midnights' most streamed tracks, introducing the word to a new generation
In Hindu philosophy, karma is divided into three types: sanchita (accumulated past actions), prarabdha (current life karma), and agami (future karma)

Karma in Other Languages

Hindi कर्मा

Spanish Karma

Tibetan ལས (Las)

Japanese カルマ

Sanskrit कर्म (Karma)

Famous People Named Karma

Karma Wilson

Writer

1969

American children's book author known for the beloved Bear series, including 'Bear Snores On' and 'Bear Wants More'

Karma Akabane Fictional

Other

A brilliant, mischievous student in the hit manga and anime series 'Assassination Classroom,' one of the fan-favorite ma...

A brilliant, mischievous student in the hit manga and anime series 'Assassination Classroom,' one of the fan-favorite main characters

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,467
Total SSA Count: 149
Cultural Origins: American Hindu Buddhist New Age/Spiritual British
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Karmen #2015 Karmyn #2802

Common Nicknames

Kar Karmi

Pairs Well With

Karma Grace Karma Sage Karma Luna Karma Rose Karma Skye

Sibling Names

Bodhi Zen Destiny Phoenix River Sage

Also a Boy Name

Karma is also used as a boy name, ranked #6240.

View Karma as a boy name →

Similar Names

Karmen

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Karma

What does the name Karma mean?

"fate, destiny shaped by one's actions" (from Sanskrit). Karma comes from the Sanskrit word 'karman,' meaning 'action,' 'work,' or 'deed.' In Hindu and Buddhist philosophy, karma is the cosmic principle of cause and effect: intentional actions shape future experiences, across this life and beyond. The concept entered English in the 19th century through scholars studying Indian religions and became widely known in Western culture through the 1960s counterculture's embrace of Eastern spirituality.

What is the origin of the name Karma?

Karma has Sanskrit, American, Hindu, Buddhist, New Age/Spiritual, and British origins. In Sanskrit, it means "fate, destiny shaped by one's actions".

Is Karma a boy or girl name?

Karma is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1467. As a boy name, it is ranked #6240. Karma is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Karma?

Karma is pronounced k-AHRM-uh.

How popular is the name Karma?

Karma is currently ranked #1467 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Karma?

Common nicknames for Karma include Kar and Karmi.

What are good middle names for Karma?

Popular middle name pairings include Karma Grace, Karma Sage, Karma Luna, Karma Rose, and Karma Skye.

What are good sibling names for Karma?

Names that pair well with Karma as siblings include Bodhi, Zen, Destiny, Phoenix, River, and Sage.

How many syllables does Karma have?

Karma has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Karma a common or rare name?

Karma is an uncommon name, ranked #1467 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Karma

Karma is a girl name with American, Hindu, Buddhist, New Age/Spiritual, and British origins . The name means "fate, destiny shaped by one's actions" in Sanskrit .

Is Karma a boy or girl name? Karma is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,467 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #6,240. Karma is more commonly used as a girl name.

Karma is currently ranked #1,467 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Karma has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-AHRM-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Karma include Kar and Karmi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Karma include Karmen, Karmyn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.