Karma

Meaning & origin

Karma entered U.S. birth records as early as 1915, but its modern usage took off in the 2000s, peaking in 2009 when it reached its highest rank yet. Since 2008, however, its popularity has declined; by 2025, it ranked 1703rd, with approximately 1 in 13,394 newborns receiving the name. Geographically, Karma sees greater use in South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington. The name owes its appeal to the global spread of Hindu and Buddhist concepts, where karma signifies the moral law of cause and effect. While not a traditional personal name in South Asia, Western parents have embraced it as a virtue name carrying spiritual depth and a modern, unisex feel. Its sound and meaning invite comparison to other dharma-inspired names like Dharma and Bodhi, yet Karma remains relatively uncommon, retaining an air of distinctiveness.

Karma derives from the Sanskrit word कर्म (karma), meaning 'action, deed, or work'. In Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions, it refers to the principle of cause and effect where intentional actions influence future consequences. The name entered Western usage in the 20th century, often chosen for its spiritual connotations of destiny and moral balance.