Kama is a unique and intriguing name of Hawaiian origin. It means "the free one" or "one who is without bounds." The name is derived from the Hawaiian word "kama," which translates to "child of" or "born of."
The history behind the name Kama is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture and mythology. In ancient Hawaiian tradition, a child was considered a kama, or offspring, of their parents but also of the land, the ancestors, and the gods. This notion emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things in Hawaiian culture.
In Hawaiian mythology, there are several stories featuring characters named Kama. One notable example is the tale of Kama and the Pig God, Kuwaha-iho. According to this legend, Kama was a mortal who accidentally offended Kuwaha-iho by eating one of his sacred pigs. Through a series of events, Kama sought forgiveness from the Pig God and eventually became a revered ancestor.
Today, Kama is still used as a given name in Hawaii and has gained popularity beyond the islands due to its unique sound and cultural significance. While it may not be as widespread as some other Hawaiian names like Leilani or Kaleo, those who bear the name Kama carry with them a rich history and deep connection to Hawaiian culture.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Kama has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States. The earliest record of Kama being given as a baby girl's name is in 1954, with six births that year. The following year, there were five recorded births with the same name.
The number of births given the name Kama began to rise significantly starting from 1968, with 14 births that year. This trend continued into the next decade, with a peak of 39 births in both 1970 and 1971. After this high point, the popularity of the name started to decrease again, but it remained steady throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, with an average of around 20 births per year.
However, from the mid-1980s onwards, there was a noticeable decline in the number of babies named Kama. There were only six births each in both 1988 and 1989, and this low popularity continued into the early 1990s. Despite some fluctuations, the name's popularity never reached the heights seen in the 1970s.
More recently, there has been a slight increase in babies named Kama since 2000, with an average of around eight births per year between 2000 and 2012. Overall, from 1954 to 2012, the name Kama has seen a total of 710 births in the United States.
These statistics highlight the changing trends in baby naming over time and show how the popularity of certain names can fluctuate significantly within different periods. Despite its varying popularity, the name Kama continues to be chosen by parents for their daughters throughout several decades in America.