Om Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Om' originates from Sanskrit and means sacred sound or universal essence. It has evolved from ancient languages and texts, representing a fundamental concept in Hinduism and Buddhism. 'Om' is associated with meditation and spirituality, lacking biblical relevance. Its popularity has surged in modern contexts, especially within yoga and mindfulness communities, and it is often linked to prominent figures in spiritual leadership.
The name Om is most popular in New Jersey, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Om has been stalled for male in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Om' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 16616th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1654th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1934th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Om' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Om"
Pronunciation
/oʊm/
Origin
Sanskrit
Etymology
The word 'Om' is derived from the Sanskrit root 'Aum', which represents the universal sound and the essence of ultimate reality in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is often considered the sound that signifies the beginning of creation.
Meaning
sacred sound, universal essence
Language Evolution
Sanskrit: Aum, Pali: Om, Buddhist texts: Om
Historical Usage
The use of 'Om' has been prevalent in spiritual practices since ancient times, particularly in Hindu rituals and meditation. Its popularity has grown in modern spirituality and yoga practices.
Variants & Derivatives
Aum, Ohm
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, 'Om' is widely recognized as a symbol of peace and spirituality, often associated with meditation and yoga practices. It is perceived positively as a representation of mindfulness and inner peace.
Famous People
Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, Deepak Chopra
Explore More Om Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Om"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Om"
"Om" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 16616th of 16616 | 5 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1654th of 24088 | 1,309 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1934th of 23106 | 941 |
Regional Popularity of "Om" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
32.47% 1488th/4582 |
20.31% 1049th/5164 |
22.97% 1680th/7313 |
22.56% 1684th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
53.97% 2150th/3984 |
26.79% 1202nd/4487 |
34.37% 2345th/6822 |
23.17% 1454th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Om" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Om"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Om" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.