Sharma
A common South Asian surname, often linked to Sanskrit terms for “joy,” “comfort,” or “protection,” and widely used as a Brahmin name in North India.
The #1,236 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 10,811 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Sharma is generally traced to Sanskrit śarman, a word meaning “protection,” “shelter,” “comfort,” or “joy.” In later North Indian use, it became a hereditary surname and honorific name, especially among Brahmin communities. The spelling reflects modern transliteration from Indian languages rather than a single original English-language form.
History
The surname is long established in North India and is especially associated with Hindu Brahmin families, though usage can vary by region and community. It became much more visible internationally through migration in the 20th and 21st centuries, and today it is one of the most recognizable South Asian surnames in the diaspora.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Sharma is often paired with other traditional Brahmin surnames such as Mishra, Tripathi, and Tiwari, though naming practices differ widely by region and family tradition.