Uma
Female nameSanskrit
✨ Meaning
Uma is a Sanskrit name and an epithet of the goddess Parvati, consort of Shiva. Classical sources give it two quite different readings: one takes it as a word for light or splendour, another as the plant flax, and a traditional etymology reads it as an exclamation addressed to the goddess during her austerities. Specialists do not agree on which is original, so the name is best described as having several accepted senses.
🌍 Origin
Uma appears throughout Sanskrit religious literature and remains in use across India, particularly in Tamil, Telugu and Bengali speaking communities. There is also an unrelated Hebrew word and a Japanese word of the same spelling, but the Sanskrit goddess name is the source of nearly all modern use. Its two open syllables have made it easy to carry into English-speaking countries.
⭐ Famous People Named Uma
- Uma Thurman
- Uma Bharti
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does Uma mean?
Uma is an epithet of the goddess Parvati. Accepted readings include light or splendour and the plant flax; the original sense is not settled.
How is Uma pronounced?
It is OO-mah, with a long first vowel and the stress on the opening syllable.
Is Uma an Indian name?
Yes. It is Sanskrit in origin and remains in use across India, especially in Tamil, Telugu and Bengali speaking communities.