Pema

Primarily a girl's name of Tibetan origin with 225 recorded births. Also given to 12 boys.

Girl's name| Also boy's#10053 in 2024Declining

Meaning & Origin

A title indicating great respect, prefixed to the names of Tibetan Buddhists.

Pema is a name of Tibetan origin meaning 'lotus flower,' from the Tibetan pema (པདྨ་) — a transliteration of the Sanskrit padma. The lotus is one of the most sacred symbols in Buddhism, growing from muddy water into a pristine flower — symbolizing purity, enlightenment, and spiritual awakening.

Pema is used widely in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and Buddhist communities worldwide. American Buddhist teacher Pema Chödrön brought the name international recognition. A name of profound spiritual beauty.

EtymologyShow more

Pema is built from 4 letters and two syllables — a compact structure that favors quick recognition and easy recall. Within the Tibetan naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.

The interplay of consonants and vowels in Pema creates its characteristic open, warm quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.

At a Glance

#10053

Current Rank

225

Total births

Since 2001

2014

Peak year

15 births

Compare Pema with another name

Popularity Over Time

Pema climbed 450 spots in the last 20 years — from #10503 to #10053.

First appeared: 2001Peak: 2014 (15 births)Current: #10053

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Pema
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	55	#10403	▼
2010s	110	#10462	▲
2000s	60	#14239	—

The Story of Pema

A Gen Alpha name

Peaking in 2014, Pema is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Pema are most likely born between 2004 and 2024.

How rare is Pema?

Only about 1 in every 360,000 babies born in 2024 was named Pema — a truly uncommon choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 2001, peaked in the 2010s with 110 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.

Pema by the numbers

Would fill 5 school buses

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(23 years, 2001–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Pema
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	10	#10053	-4 (-28.6%)
2023	14	#7953	-1 (-6.7%)
2022	15	#7548	+10 (200.0%)
2021	5	#17069	-6 (-54.5%)
2020	11	#9392	+1 (10.0%)
2019	10	#10295	-3 (-23.1%)
2018	13	#8489	+1 (8.3%)
2017	12	#9213	+1 (9.1%)
2016	11	#9930	-2 (-15.4%)
2015	13	#8827	-2 (-13.3%)
2014	15	#7972	+4 (36.4%)
2013	11	#10084	0
2012	11	#10257	+3 (37.5%)
2011	8	#13086	+2 (33.3%)
2010	6	#16464	-4 (-40.0%)
2009	10	#11284	+1 (11.1%)
2008	9	#12354	+1 (12.5%)
2007	8	#13616	+3 (60.0%)
2006	5	#19321	-5 (-50.0%)
2004	10	#10503	+2 (25.0%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Pema as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Pema has also been given to 12 boys in the U.S. since 2017.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

2017

Peak year

Compare Pema as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pema a boy's or girl's name?

Pema is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 12 recorded births.

When was Pema most popular?

Pema reached its peak popularity in 2014 with 15 births that year. It is currently ranked #10053 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Pema?

Pema is currently ranked #10053 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 225 babies since 2001.

Can Pema be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Pema is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #10053. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Explore More

By Length4-letter names By OriginTibetan names By EndingNames in -a TrendingRising names RankingsFull rankings

Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2001–2024