करुणा

Karuna

girlSanskritBuddhistHindu

Karuna is a Buddhist girl name of Sanskrit origin, meaning “Compassion”.

MeaningCompassion
GenderGirl
OriginSanskrit
Written asकरुणा
PronunciationKUH-roo-nah
TraditionBuddhist, Hindu
Used inIndia, Sri Lanka, Nepal

Meaning and origin of Karuna

Karuna is the Sanskrit and Pali word for compassion, the wish that others be free from suffering. In Indian aesthetics karuna rasa is the mood of pathos in drama and poetry. The name has been used across India for generations and is also known in Sri Lanka and among Western Buddhists. It is mostly given to girls, though Karunanidhi and similar forms are male names.

Is Karuna a Buddhist name?

In Buddhism karuna is one of the four brahmaviharas, the divine abodes, alongside loving-kindness, sympathetic joy and equanimity, and it is the quality embodied by the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.

How popular is Karuna?

Familiar in India and among Buddhist families.

Gifts with the name Karuna

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Spellings and variants of Karuna

KarunaaKarunya

Names similar to Karuna

DayaKripaMaitriMudita

More Buddhist girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Karuna mean?

Karuna means 'Compassion'. It is of Sanskrit origin.

Is Karuna a Buddhist name?

In Buddhism karuna is one of the four brahmaviharas, the divine abodes, alongside loving-kindness, sympathetic joy and equanimity, and it is the quality embodied by the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.

How do you pronounce Karuna?

Karuna is pronounced KUH-roo-nah.

Is Karuna a boy or girl name?

Karuna is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.