Varma (name)

"Verma" redirects here. For people with the given name "Verma" and other uses, see Verma (disambiguation).

Varmā, Verma, Varman, Barman or Burman (Sanskrit: वर्मा Varmā, वर्मन् Varman) are surnames found in India and South-East Asia. In modern times, these surnames have been adopted by several other communities.

Varma is also a Finnish name, with the etymology "confident" or "firm". It has been used both as a male and a female name.

Finnish usage

The word varma means "certain", "sure", "confident". The name is of relatively recent origin, and belongs to the class of names introduced in the early 20th century names with literal meanings in Finnish. Its first official appearance was in the 1909 St. Petersburg Finnish calendar.[1] As of 2009, it has been given to 180 boys and 680 girls. Although officially it is considered a female name,[1] it has been given to a few boys even in the 2000s. Nevertheless, most Varmas have been born in the early 20th century. Varma's name day is 23 August.[1]

Indian traditional usage

The Sanskrit word Varmaa is masculine form of the word Varman, meaning "Shield, defensive armour". This has been used as a surname traditionally by people of ruling/kshatriya castes.

The word Varman derives from Varamban as in the Chera king title Vana-varamban, meaning one whose kingdom is bounded by the sky. Its usage can be traced back to the Sangam period.[2]

The title was used historically by Kshatriyas, although Brahmins in parts of Odisha also used it.[3]

In Kerala, Varma was the surname used by members of the Travancore Royal Family and Cochin Royal Family and other royal families.

Modern usage

Notable people with surname "Varma" or its variants include:

Dev Burman

Varma

Varman

Verma

References

  1. 1 2 3 Vilkuna, Kustaa; Huitu, Marketta; Mikkonen, Pirjo. Etunimet. Published in Joka kodin suuri nimikirja, Suuri Suomalainen Kirjakerho, Otava, Keuruu 1990. ISBN 951-643-476-2
  2. ↑ P. C., Alexander (1949). Buddhism in Kerala. Annamalai University. pp. 52–53.
  3. ↑ Sah, Ayodhya Prasad (1976). Life in mediæval Orissa, cir. A.D. 600-1200. Chaukhambha Orientalia. p. 123.
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