Girl · Sanskrit · Hindu
Karuna
करुणाSay it KUH-ru-naa
- Meaning today
- Compassion, mercy
- Original meaning
- "pity, compassion" Monier-Williams, p. 255
- Say it
- KUH-ru-naa
- Written
- करुणा
- Other spellings
- Karunaa
Karuna
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Karuna meaning
Karuna (करुणा) is a Hindu girl's name of Sanskrit origin.
Pity, compassion
Also used to mean: mercy
Karuna (करुणा) is the Sanskrit word for compassion. Monier-Williams defines karuṇā as pity and compassion, the feeling of tenderness that classical Indian aesthetics counts among its rasas, and notes it as one of the four boundless states of Buddhist meditation, alongside loving-kindness, joy and equanimity. The adjective karuṇa means compassionate and also mournful. Name lists give "compassion" or "mercy", matching the dictionary. Karuna is used by Hindu and Buddhist families alike, and is understood in every Indian language.
Source: Monier-Williams, Sanskrit–English Dictionary (1899), p. 255 · entry karuṇā · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Monier-Williams, karuṇa and karuṇā, p. 255
Fits your syllable
First sound क
Mrigashira nakshatra, pada 3 · Mithun rashi
This exact sound isn't in the table; the closest is का, which differs only in vowel length. North Indian table. Tables vary by region and family tradition, so confirm with your priest.
Spellings
Karuna · Karunaa