Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Uma
GirlSanskrit, Hindi· “a name of the goddess Parvati”
- Meaning
- a name of the goddess Parvati
- Origin
- Sanskrit, Hindi
- Pronunciation
- OO-muh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,025
- US babies 2025
- 55
- Best rank
- #2,349 (2006)
- Peak year
- 2006
Meaning and origin of Uma
Uma is a Sanskrit and Hindi name that is usually said to mean “a name of the goddess Parvati”.
Uma is one of the names of the Hindu goddess Parvati, the consort of Shiva. Its meaning is not fully settled. A famous story in the Sanskrit poet Kalidasa's Kumarasambhava explains it as a mother's plea, u ma, meaning oh, do not, when Parvati set out on severe austerities, but that is a traditional rather than linguistic explanation. Other interpretations connect it to light or tranquility. The name is common across India and is said OO-muh. Actress Uma Thurman, named after the goddess, made it familiar in the West. Uma is short, elegant and easy to pronounce in many languages.
Other spellings with the same sound: Yuma.
Popularity over time
Uma first appears in US Social Security records in 1961. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,349 in 2006, the same year it reached its highest count of 81 babies. In 2025, 55 babies were named Uma, and it ranked #3,025 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #9,061 in 1980, #2,705 in 2000, #2,901 in 2010, and #3,025 in 2025. Of the 1,901 US girls named Uma since records began, 36% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 559 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Nakiyah, Soledad, Joselynn, Tamiyah, and Emiley.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Uma ranked highest in New York and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #1519 | 9 |
| California | #2474 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Uma is usually pronounced OO-muh, with two syllables. It has three letters, starts with U and ends in “-ma”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Yuma.
Middle names for Uma
A few middle names that flow with Uma: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Uma
Similar names
Rama Unisex
RAH-muh
“pleasing (Sanskrit); also used in Arabic” · Sanskrit
#11,699
Seema Girl
SEE-muh
“boundary, limit” · Hindi
#10,779
Asha Girl
AH-shuh
“hope” · Sanskrit
#1,373
Leela Girl
LEE-luh
“play, divine play” · Sanskrit
#1,282
Aarya Girl
AHR-yuh
“noble” · Sanskrit
#1,258
Meera Girl
MEER-uh
“uncertain; possibly 'ocean' or 'boundary'” · Sanskrit
#1,020
Isha Girl
EE-shuh
“ruler, lord” · Sanskrit
#1,276
Aarna Girl
AR-nuh
Sanskrit
#1,540
Jaya Girl
JY-uh
“victory” · Sanskrit
#2,204
Nila Girl
NEE-luh
“dark blue” · Sanskrit
#1,754
Krishna Unisex
KRIHSH-nuh
“black, dark” · Sanskrit
#2,120
Tanvi Girl
TAHN-vee
“slender, delicate” · Sanskrit
#4,059
Lists that include Uma
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Uma mean?
Uma is a Sanskrit and Hindi name that is usually said to mean “a name of the goddess Parvati”.
What is the origin of the name Uma?
Uma has Sanskrit and Hindi roots. Uma is one of the names of the Hindu goddess Parvati, the consort of Shiva.
Is Uma a popular name?
Not especially. Uma ranked #3,025 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Uma a boy or girl name?
Uma is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Uma?
Uma is usually pronounced OO-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