Declining since 2016.
Popularity of Karuna since 1976
Babies named Karuna per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 10 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 52 |
| 2010s | 72 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Karuna is a name of Sanskrit origin, directly translating to 'compassion' or 'mercy.' First recorded in the United States in 1976, it reached its peak popularity in 2012, but has been declining in use since 2016. In 2025, it remained unranked in the top 1000 and had an estimated 1-in-N birth rate that was too low to report. The name is deeply rooted in Indian spiritual traditions and has seen modest adoption outside of India, particularly among families seeking a meaningful, cross-cultural name. The decline in recent years mirrors a broader trend away from rare Sanskrit names, though it retains a dedicated, if small, following.
Karuna derives from Sanskrit 'करुणा' (karuṇā), meaning 'compassion' or 'mercy.' It is a key concept in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions, often paired with 'metta' (loving-kindness). The name has been used in India for centuries and gained occasional use in the West since the late 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Karunā
Sibling names for Karuna
Names that share Karuna's style, for a brother or sister.
