Pop Culture dictionary
Sharma
[shahr-muh]
What does Sharma mean?
Sharma is a common Indian and Nepalese surname.
Where does Sharma come from?
The last name Sharma is most commonly found among people of Indian and Nepalese descent. It comes from Sanskrit roots variously meaning “bliss,” “happiness,” or “warmth.” The name is historically associated with the Brahmin (priest and teacher) caste, but many contemporary families bear the name across social classes—and across the globe.
Many well-known people have had the last name Sharma. Examples include Bollywood actor and model Anushka Sharma, professional cricketer Rohit Sharma, and Shankyar Dayal Sharma, the ninth president of India.
Famous fictional characters with the last name Sharma include Kalinda Sharma (Archie Panjabi) from the TV show The Good Wife and Jai Sharma (Chris Bisson) of British soap opera Emmerdale.
Given that Sharma is common among people of Indian descent, sharma has sometimes been used in the 2000s as a slur for Indian people who are seen to be “acting black.”
Examples of Sharma
Who uses Sharma?
As noted, Sharma is a widespread given name in India and Nepal, and among the many people who come from those countries. Writers may use Sharma for Indian and Nepalese characters in fiction.
Calling a person Sharma just because you think they are Indian is extremely offensive.
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of Sharma like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of Sharma that will help our users expand their word mastery.