Karma
/K-AA-R-M-AA/
The great law of action and consequence — Karma names a child as one living within the moral physics of the universe, where every intention sent into the world returns transformed. In Tibetan Buddhism Karma is itself a given name, not a burden but a reminder: that each of us is the sum of choices and each choice shapes the next. Ancient in Tibet, it carries a lightness Western understanding sometimes forgets — karma is creative, not merely punitive
See Karma scored for your familyQuick — what every parent wants to know about Karma:
Yes — Karma is a Buddhist unisex name of Tibetan origin, meaning “The great law of action and consequence — Karma names a child as one living within the moral physics of the universe, where every intention sent into the world returns transformed. In Tibetan Buddhism Karma is itself a given name, not a burden but a reminder: that each of us is the sum of choices and each choice shapes the next. Ancient in Tibet, it carries a lightness Western understanding sometimes forgets — karma is creative, not merely punitive”. It also appears in Hindu tradition.
How well does Karma fit your family?
This page tells you what Karma means. The app tells you whether it's right for your baby — scored against the names already in your family, your heritage, and your baby's exact birth star.
Unlock Karma's score — free
Six signals — scored for your family, not in the abstract:
Meaning & origin
Karma is a unisex's name of Tibetan origin, traditionally used in Buddhist families. The name means "The great law of action and consequence — Karma names a child as one living within the moral physics of the universe, where every intention sent into the world returns transformed. In Tibetan Buddhism Karma is itself a given name, not a burden but a reminder: that each of us is the sum of choices and each choice shapes the next. Ancient in Tibet, it carries a lightness Western understanding sometimes forgets — karma is creative, not merely punitive" and belongs to the Wisdom cluster — names meaning knowledge, insight, and thoughtful presence.
Beyond its Buddhist heritage, Karma is also used in Hindu traditions, reflecting how this name has traveled across cultures.
Common among Indian, Nepali, American, European families, Karma carries cultural weight that goes beyond its dictionary definition — it's a name with a story and a community.
What's Karma's birth star?
In Vedic tradition, a baby's name is matched to their nakshatra (birth star) and rashi (moon sign) — usually through its first syllable. Karma opens with “Ka.” But whether that's auspicious depends on your baby's exact date, time, and place of birth.
NameRoot works it out for you. Enter your baby's birth details and see exactly which nakshatra and rashi Karma aligns with — and how strongly it scores.
See Karma's birth-star reading →What does Karma's numerology say?
Numerology assigns each name a single-digit destiny number by summing its letter values. Different schools use different mappings — NameRoot computes both so you can see how Karma resonates in either tradition.
Karma's destiny number is 8 — but a number only matters in context. The app matches it to your family's own numbers for a real compatibility read. See Karma's full reading →
Does Karma go with your family's names?
Karma breaks into 5 sounds: /K-AA-R-M-AA/. The real test isn't how it sounds alone — it's how it sounds beside the names already in your family: yours, your partner's, and any brothers or sisters. NameRoot scores that harmony, so Karma sits naturally next to a Mum and Dad like Michael & Anna, or a big sister named Gianna — no awkward clashes, no two names that blur together. Hear Karma beside your family's names →
Names similar to Karma
If Karma resonates with you, these names live in the same world — drawn from the same tradition, sharing the same meaning, or echoing a similar sound.
From the same tradition
Other Buddhist unisex names, common in Indian families
Sharing the same meaning
Other Buddhist unisex names from the Wisdom cluster
Names that sound similar
Buddhist unisex names that open with the same syllables as Karma
Explore more names
Keep exploring names like Karma — by tradition, by meaning, or by first letter.
Common questions about Karma
What does the name Karma mean?
Karma means "The great law of action and consequence — Karma names a child as one living within the moral physics of the universe, where every intention sent into the world returns transformed. In Tibetan Buddhism Karma is itself a given name, not a burden but a reminder: that each of us is the sum of choices and each choice shapes the next. Ancient in Tibet, it carries a lightness Western understanding sometimes forgets — karma is creative, not merely punitive." It is a unisex name of Tibetan origin, traditionally used in Buddhist families.
Is Karma a boy or girl name?
Karma is a unisex name, used for any gender.
What is the origin of the name Karma?
Karma is of Tibetan origin, used in Buddhist, Hindu traditions, commonly among Indian, Nepali, American families.
Is Karma a Buddhist name?
Yes. Karma is a unisex name traditionally used in Buddhist families, of Tibetan origin. It also appears in Hindu tradition.
What does Karma mean in Tibetan?
Karma originates from Tibetan, where it means "The great law of action and consequence — Karma names a child as one living within the moral physics of the universe, where every intention sent into the world returns transformed. In Tibetan Buddhism Karma is itself a given name, not a burden but a reminder: that each of us is the sum of choices and each choice shapes the next. Ancient in Tibet, it carries a lightness Western understanding sometimes forgets — karma is creative, not merely punitive."
What is the numerology of Karma?
Karma has a Pythagorean destiny number of 8 — material mastery and executive power.
See how Karma scores for your family
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