Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Rama
UnisexSanskrit, Arabic· “pleasing (Sanskrit); also used in Arabic”
- Meaning
- pleasing (Sanskrit); also used in Arabic
- Origin
- Sanskrit, Arabic
- Pronunciation
- RAH-muh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #11,699
- US babies 2025
- 8
- Best rank
- #1,749 (1897)
- Peak year
- 2010
Meaning and origin of Rama
Rama is a Sanskrit and Arabic name that is usually said to mean “pleasing (Sanskrit); also used in Arabic”.
As a girls' name, Rama draws on two traditions. In Sanskrit, Ramā means pleasing or charming and is an epithet of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of fortune; the masculine Rama is the hero of the epic Ramayana and an incarnation of Vishnu. Separately, Rama is used as a girls' name in Arabic-speaking countries, where its meaning is given in several ways. In English it is usually said RAH-muh. The name is short and melodic, and its familiarity across cultures makes it easy to use in the US.
Popularity over time
Rama first appears in US Social Security records in 1897. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,749 in 1897, and the most babies received it in 2010, when 36 were named Rama. In 2025, 8 babies were named Rama, and it ranked #11,699 nationally. That is 62% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,302 in 1920, #3,019 in 1950, #7,933 in 1980, #4,758 in 2000, #4,166 in 2010, and #11,699 in 2025. Of the 1,130 US girls named Rama since records began, 21% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 226 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Derin, Ashby, Micha, Caylen, and Hadyn.
Gender, sound and spelling
Rama is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 78% of US babies named Rama were girls and 22% were boys.
Rama is usually pronounced RAH-muh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with R and ends in “-ma”.
Middle names for Rama
A few middle names that flow with Rama: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Rama
Similar names
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Lists that include Rama
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rama mean?
Rama is a Sanskrit and Arabic name that is usually said to mean “pleasing (Sanskrit); also used in Arabic”.
What is the origin of the name Rama?
Rama has Sanskrit and Arabic roots. As a girls' name, Rama draws on two traditions.
Is Rama a popular name?
Not especially. Rama ranked #11,699 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Rama a boy or girl name?
Rama is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 78% of US babies named Rama were girls and 22% were boys.
How do you pronounce Rama?
Rama is usually pronounced RAH-muh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings