varma

Varma is a surname and given name of Indian origin. It has variant spellings such as Verma and Varmā, and is generally traced to Sanskrit terms varman or varmā, meaning armor or protection. Historically, the name has been associated with Kshatriya lineages in parts of north and central India, but it is now used by many communities across the country and in the diaspora.

Geographically and culturally, Verma/Varma is widespread in North India, while Varmā is common in parts of South India. The name is found among various Hindu communities and in Indian diaspora communities abroad. It is also used as a given name in some cases.

Notable people with the surname include Raja Ravi Varma (1848–1906), the celebrated painter from the princely state of Travancore whose works helped popularize Indian mythological and literary themes. Beyond this, the surname is borne by many individuals in Indian arts, academia, and public life, reflecting its broad regional distribution.

Other uses of the term appear in traditional Indian practices. In Tamil culture, varma (often rendered varmam) refers to vital points on the body, and Varmakkalai or Varma Kalai is a Tamil system of martial arts that emphasizes these points for defense and offensive techniques. The concept of marma points also appears in Ayurveda and related traditional healing practices as focal points in energy and physiology.

See also: Verma (surname).