Hema
Meaninggold · Sanskrit
Hema is an Indian girl name meaning “gold”, with Sanskrit roots. Sanskrit names are rich in meaning, often drawn from nature, virtues or Hindu tradition. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationHema peaked in 1976, which makes it a Gen X name. The typical Hema you'd meet today is about 49 years old. Now it's back in style, so there's a whole new generation of baby Hemas too.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Hema would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 322,581 baby girls got the name in 2025.
- HistoryHema first shows up in US birth records in 1976, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 49 years since.
US births per million girls, 1976–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Hema
Hema is a girl name of Indian origin meaning “gold”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It hit its peak in the 1970s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Indian names
More Indian girl names
- Girl name: Maya · illusion
- Girl name: Lyla · night
- Unisex name: Arya · noble
- Girl name: Kali · black
- Girl name: Serena · calm, serene
- Girl name: Mira · wonderful
- Girl name: Amber · amber resin
- Unisex name: Veda · knowledge
Questions about the name Hema
What does the name Hema mean?
Hema means “gold” and comes from Sanskrit. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Goldie (“gold”), Goldy (“gold”), Jin (“gold”) and Golda (“gold”).
What is the origin of the name Hema?
Hema is Indian in origin, and its meaning traces back to Sanskrit. Other Indian names to consider are Maya (“illusion”), Lyla (“night”), Arya (“noble”) and Kali (“black”).
Is Hema a boy or girl name?
Hema is a girl name. In 2025, 5 US girls were named Hema.
How popular is the name Hema?
Hema ranked #14,942 for US girls in 2025, given to 5 babies. Its best year was 1976, when it reached #7,296.
What names are similar to Hema?
If you like Hema, you might also like Goldie, Goldy, Jin and Golda.
What should I know before naming my baby Hema?
Hema is an Indian girl name meaning “gold”, with Sanskrit roots. Sanskrit names are rich in meaning, often drawn from nature, virtues or Hindu tradition. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.