India has one of the most enchanting cultural histories worldwide, from religious practices to everyday traditions. Indian last names are no different, but often exist under a caste system that can appear difficult to understand.
Come away with us on a trip to learn about the fascinating naming practices among Indian surnames. You’ll be able to pronounce them all and come to find out the subtle differences between a Devi, a Raj, and a Patel.
100 Popular Indian Last Names
Start off on the road to understanding Indian last names and their fascinating meanings.
Acharya
Acharya is composed of the Sanskrit “acarya,” meaning “one who knows or teaches (right) conduct.” It’s also a title given to someone in the Brahmin communities who is a learned man.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Teacher
- Pronunciation: Ah-CHAAR-yah
- Variations: Achary
- Namesakes: Binayak Acharya, the Indian Chief Minister of Odisha from 1976 to 1977. Triveni Acharya, an Indian journalist known for her work with the Rescue Foundation.
- Popularity: Acharya is rare worldwide, mostly used in India, and ranked 215th in Qatar in 2014.
Agarwal
Agarwal derives from Agroha, meaning “the children of Agrasen.” It was for the “people of Agroha,” an ancient city in Haryana founded by Agrasen. Among Indian last names, anyone named Agarwal seems to be top-notch at anything business-related.
- Origin: Indian
- Meaning: People of Agrotha
- Pronunciation: AA-gahr-Waal
- Variations: Aggarwal, Agrawal
- Namesakes: Parag Agrawal, the Indian-American CEO of Twitter from 2021 to 2022. Pramod Agarwal, an Indian businessman who founded the Zamin Group in 2004.
- Popularity: Agarwal ranked 1,568th worldwide and is mainly used in India, where it ranked 248th in 2014.
Ahuja
Ahuja is found among both Hindu and Sikh communities for those descended from Ahu. With Indian surnames, the suffix “-ja” indicates a patronymic surname.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Descendent of Ahu
- Pronunciation: Ah-HUW-jah
- Namesakes: Davinder Ahuja, an Indian badminton player, and bronze medalist at the 1974 Asian Games. Anjana Ahuja, an Indian-English journalist for The Times.
- Popularity: Ahuja is rare worldwide, primarily used in India, and ranked 719th in the United Arab Emirates in 2014.
Akkineni
Akkineni is used for a “notable person” in the Telugu language. Telugu is among six classical languages made official by the Indian government. Akkineni is composed of “akki,” meaning “rice,” and “nine,” for the region where rice is harvested.
- Origin: Indian
- Meaning: Important man
- Pronunciation: AAK-ih-Neh-nee
- Namesakes: Amala Akkineni, an Indian actress and winner of the Filmfare Awards South for Best Actress in 1991. Samantha Akkineni, an Indian actress known for Kaththi (2014).
- Popularity: Akkineni is very rare worldwide and mostly used in India.
Ali
Ali means everything from “elevated” to “exalted” in India, plus “cling to” in Sanskrit. It’s better known as an Arabic male name meaning “champion” and “emperor.”
- Origin: Indian, Arabic
- Meaning: Excellent, noble
- Pronunciation: AA-liy
- Namesakes: Mohamed Ali, an Indian footballer for Dempo. Mahmud Ali, a Pakistani member of the National Assembly from 1956 to 1958.
- Popularity: Ali ranked 13th worldwide, is mainly used in Pakistan, and ranked number one in Somalia in 2014.
Allu
Allu is a typical South Indian boy’s name meaning “star” and “world.” It’s also a German boy’s name meaning “noble” or “nobility” based on the Old German “adal.”
- Origin: Indian, German
- Meaning: Stylish
- Pronunciation: Ah-LOO
- Popularity: Allu is rare worldwide and primarily used in India, ranking 1,794th in 2014.
Bai
Bai is based on “baisaheb” in India and was used as a suffix for women in female dynasties. It’s better known as a Chinese surname that means “white.”
- Origin: Indian, Chinese
- Meaning: Lady, ma’am
- Pronunciation: BAEY
- Variations: Baie
- Namesakes: Michelle Bai, a Chinese actress known for The Myth (2010) series.
- Popularity: Bai ranked 51st worldwide and is mostly used in India, where it ranked 10th in 2014.
Bajaj
For Hindu, Jain, and Sikh people, Bajaj means “clothes” and was given to a seller of clothes called “bajajiya.” It stems from the Panjabi “bajāj” and Arabic “bazzāz,” meaning “clothier.”
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Clothes
- Pronunciation: Bah-JAAJH
- Namesakes: Ashok Bajaj, an Indian-American restaurateur and head of the Knightsbridge Restaurant Group in Washington, D.C. Aarti Bajaj, an Indian Bollywood film editor known for Jubilee (2023).
- Popularity: Bajaj is rare worldwide and mainly used in India, ranking 935th in 2014.
Bakshi
Though listed among surnames in India, Bakshi is Persian for “paymaster.” It was an occupational title for someone who distributed wages in Muslim armies based on “baxš,” meaning “fortune.”
- Origin: Indian, Persian
- Meaning: Paymaster
- Pronunciation: BAAK-shiy
- Variations: Baksh
- Namesakes: Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, a member of Parliament in New Zealand from 2008 to 2020. Zorawar Chand Bakshi, a General Officer of the Indian Army during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.
- Popularity: Bakshi is rare worldwide and primarily in India, ranking 1,278th in 2014.
Banerjee
Banerjee has some very specific meanings centered around the art of teaching. It’s made up of “ban,” a short form for the village of Bandoghat, combined with “-jee.” “Jee” is taken from “jhā,” short for the Sanskrit “upādhyāya,” meaning “teacher.”
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Teacher from Bandoghat
- Pronunciation: BAAN-ehr-jhee
- Variations: Banerji
- Namesakes: Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee, the first president of the Indian National Congress from 1885 to 1886. Shakuntala Banerjee, a German TV journalist for Mainz ZDF.
- Popularity: Banerjee ranked 177th worldwide and is mostly used in India, where it ranked 152nd in 2014.
Begam
Begam is known as a Muslim name in India, where roughly 200 million Muslims reside. It’s a title for a “respectable lady” used in the same way as “lady” or “damn” in English.
- Origin: Indian
- Meaning: Respected lady
- Pronunciation: BEH-gaam
- Variations: Begum
- Namesakes: Shakr-un-Nissa Begum, a Mughal princess and the daughter of Emperor Akbar from 1556 to 1605. Lutfunnisa Begum, the third wife of Siraj ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal from 1756 to 1757.
- Popularity: Begam ranked 213th worldwide and is primarily used in India, where it ranked 29th in 2014.
Bhattacharya
Battacharya comes from the Sanskrit “bhaṭṭāčārya,” composed of “bhaṭṭa,” meaning “learned one” and “āčārya,” meaning “teacher.” Any “learned man” was allowed to use this stately name.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Celebrated teacher
- Pronunciation: Bhat-ah-CHAAR-Yah
- Variations: Bhattacharyya
- Namesakes: Aditya Bhattacharya, an Indian film director known for Raakh (1989). Suchitra Bhattacharya, an Indian novelist known for Dahan (The Burning).
- Popularity: Bhattacharya ranked 1,577th worldwide and is mainly used in India, ranking 240th in 2014.
Bissoon
Bissoon is more common in West Indian communities like Trinidad and Tobago. It’s sometimes linked with ideas of “auspiciousness” or “good fortune” for those who have it.
- Origin: Indian
- Meaning: Unknown
- Pronunciation: BIH-soon
- Popularity: Bissoon is very rare worldwide and mostly used in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 188th in 2014.
Chadha
Chadha is a very particular surname named after a clan in the Khatri community. The Ramgarhia Sikhs also include a clan called Chadha, but any other official meaning is unknown.
- Origin: Indian, Punjabi
- Meaning: Of the Khatri clan
- Pronunciation: CHAAD-ah
- Variations: Chada
- Namesakes: Satya Rani Chadha, an Indian women’s rights activist known for the anti-dowry movement in the 1980s. Raghav Chadha, an Indian member of Parliament since 2022.
- Popularity: Chadha is rare worldwide, mainly used in India, and ranked 530th in Hong Kong in 2014.
Chakrabarti
Chakrabarti also appears in West Bengal and Bangladesh but derives from the Sanskrit “čakravartī,” meaning “emperor.” It actually means “wheels rolling,” referring to a ruler’s chariot wheels rolling wherever they like.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Emperor
- Pronunciation: CHAAK-rah-BAAR-tee
- Variations: Chakraborti, Chakrabarty
- Namesakes: Samrat Chakrabarti, is a British-American actor appearing in The Wedding Weekend. Sumon Chakrabarti, the Chief National Correspondent of CNN-IBN.
- Popularity: Chakrabarti is rare worldwide and primarily used in India.
Chandrar
Like Chandra, Chandrar means “shining” and “glittering,” yet means “moon” in Sanskrit. Chandrar appears in some form throughout Hindu mythology, including a Suryavamsha king.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Bright
- Pronunciation: CHAAN-drahr
- Variations: Chandra
- Popularity: Chandrar is very rare worldwide and mostly used in India.
Chopra
Chopra refers to a clan named after a man called Chaupat Rai, who famously died fighting the Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni. His proud descendents are often Hindu, yet include some Sikhs.
- Origin: Indian
- Meaning: From the Chopra clan
- Pronunciation: CHAOP-rah
- Namesakes: Deepak Chopra, an Indian-American author appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Neeraj Chopra, an Indian track and field athlete, and gold medalist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
- Popularity: Chopra is rare worldwide, mainly used in India, and ranked 769th in Singapore in 2014.
Choudhury
Choudhury is based on the Sanskrit “caturdhara,” meaning “holder of four (pieces of land).” It’s made up of “hatur,” meaning “four,” and “dhara,” meaning “possessor.”
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Holder of four
- Pronunciation: CHAOWD-huw-Riy
- Variations: Chowdhury
- Namesakes: Sarita Choudhury, a British actress known for Mississippi Masala (1991). Ariful Haque Choudhury, the 13th mayor of Sylhet from 2013 to 2023.
- Popularity: Choudhury ranked 1,985th worldwide, is primarily used in India, and ranked 183rd in Bangladesh in 2014.
Dalal
Dalal is an occupational name from the Arabic “dallāl,” meaning “auctioneer.” It’s also a girl’s name in Arabic, meaning “fondness” and “passion.” The Jats clan called Gotra in northern India is said to use Dalal the most.
- Origin: Indian, Arabic
- Meaning: Auctioneer
- Pronunciation: Dah-LAAL
- Namesakes: Tarla Dalal, an Indian food writer known for The Pleasures of Vegetarian Cooking (1974). Hussain Dalal, an Indian actor known for Bring On the Night (2012).
- Popularity: Dalal is rare worldwide, mostly used in India, and ranked 524th in Kuwait in 2014.
Damani
The meanings of Damani are unclear, but they refer to “goat” or “sheep” in Pakistan. Damani was used for people of the Maheshwari Hindu caste in ancient times.
- Origin: Indian, Gujarati
- Meaning: Goat, sheep
- Pronunciation: Dah-MAAN-iy
- Variations: Dahmani
- Namesakes: Brijesh Damani, an Indian snooker player who won the 2008 Indian National Snooker Championship. Sujan Fatehchand Damani, an Indian member of Parliament for Jalore from 1957 to 1962.
- Popularity: Damani is rare worldwide, mainly used in India, and ranked 1,436th in Burkina Faso in 2014.
Das
Das comes from the Sanskrit “dasa,” meaning “servant” and “votary.” It often appears as part of compound first names like Mohandas and is one of many titles for the god Krishna.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Devotee of God
- Pronunciation: DOS
- Variations: Dash
- Namesakes: Gurcharan Das, an Indian columnist for The Times of India. Shraddha Das, an Indian actress appearing in Siddu from Sikakulam (2008).
- Popularity: Das ranked 39th worldwide and is primarily used in India, where it ranked 4th in 2014.
Datta
Datta is a Sanskrit word meaning “given” and “gift” associated with the Vaishya caste. It’s also another name for the Hindu deity Dattatreya, an incarnation of Lord Brahma. Datta refers to “one who is gifted” and is most used in Bangladesh.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Gift
- Pronunciation: DAHT-aa
- Variations: Dutta
- Namesakes: Jyotirmoy Datta, a Bengali writer for The Statesman. Narendranath Datta, an Indian Hindu monk who helped introduce yoga to the Western world.
- Popularity: Datta is uncommon worldwide, mostly used in India, and ranked 151st in Bangladesh in 2014.
Deol
Deol is traditionally a Sikh name with an unknown meaning, referring to the Jat clan in the Punjab region of India. In areas of Africa, it’s also a girl’s name meaning “crown of honor.”
- Origin: Indian, Punjabi
- Meaning: Unknown
- Pronunciation: DIY-ohl
- Namesakes: Monika Deol, a Canadian VJ for MuchMusic. Harleen Deol, an Indian cricketer for Himachal Pradesh.
- Popularity: Deol is rare worldwide and mainly used in India.
Deshmukh
Deshmukh is composed of the Sanskrit “deśa,” meaning “land,” and “mukha,” meaning “chief.” It also means “district chief,” for any official controlling a certain area of land or town.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: District head
- Pronunciation: DEHSH-mook
- Namesakes: Subhash Deshmukh, the Indian cabinet minister of cooperation from 2016 to 2019. Ranjana Deshmukh, an Indian actress who won the Filmfare Marathi for Best Actress for Sushila (1979).
- Popularity: Deshmukh ranked 1,160th worldwide and is primarily used in India, ranking 174th in 2014.
Deshpande
Deshpande is made up of the Sanskrit “deša,” meaning “district,” and “paṇḍita,” meaning “learned man.” Officially, a “pande” is an account keeper, yet Deshpande was sometimes given to the descendents of a tax official.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: District accountant
- Pronunciation: DEHSH-Paan-dey
- Namesakes: Shashi Deshpande, an Indian novelist and recipient of the 2009 Padma Shri Award. Tara Deshpande, an Indian host of Kab Kyon Kahaan on Zee TV.
- Popularity: Deshpande is rare worldwide, mostly used in India, and ranked 737th in Bahrain in 2014.
Devgan
Devgan has multiple meanings, including “diamond,” “expert,” and “glitter,” which may link it to someone who works with gemstones. It uses the root “dev,” meaning “divine” or “God.”
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Diamond
- Pronunciation: DEHV-gaan
- Variations: Devgn
- Namesakes: Anil Devgan, an Indian filmmaker who directed Raju Chacha (2000). Amish Devgan, an Indian news anchor and managing editor of News18 India.
- Popularity: Devgan is very rare worldwide and mainly used in India.
Devi
Devi is a stylish Sanskrit word meaning “goddess.” In Hindu mythology, Devi is the mother goddess above all others. It’s mostly ranked at the top of the Indian surname list since 2014.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Goddess
- Pronunciation: DAEY-vee
- Namesakes: Bindyarani Devi, an Indian weightlifter and gold medallist at the 2019 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships. Norodom Buppha Devi, a Cambodian dancer and director of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia.
- Popularity: Devi ranked 6th worldwide and is primarily used in India, where it ranked number one in 2023.
Dutta
Like Datta, Dutta means “given” in Sanskrit used by Hindus in Bengal, Punjab, and Assam. It’s inspired by Dattareyta, the Hindu god believed to be an incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Granted
- Pronunciation: DUH-tah
- Variations: Datta
- Namesakes: Lara Dutta, an Indian actress who won the Miss Universe 2000 pageant. Amal Dutta, an Indian football coach known for the “diamond system” in the 1970s.
- Popularity: Dutta ranked 498th worldwide and is mostly used in India, ranking 79th in 2014.
Duttagupta
Duttagupta is one of the more long Indian family names composed of “dutta,” meaning “granted,” and “gupta,” meaning protector. It’s better known as a first name meaning “born of beauty” and is not as popular as Dutta.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Born of beauty
- Pronunciation: Duh-tah-GUPT-ah
- Popularity: Duttagupta is very rare worldwide and mainly used in India.
Gandhi
Gandhi began as an occupational name meaning “perfume seller” based on the Sanskrit “gandha,” meaning “perfume.” It can also mean “grocer” or “pharmacist.”
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Perfume seller
- Pronunciation: GAAN-diy
- Namesakes: Mahātmā Mohandas Gandhi, an Indian civil rights leader who campaigned for India’s independence from British rule. Indira Gandhi, the third Prime Minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and 1980 to 1984.
- Popularity: Gandhi is uncommon worldwide, primarily used in India, and ranked 243rd in Oman in 2014.
Garg
Garg belongs to a saint in India but also denotes any “spiritual” or “holy person.” It’s a northern Indian surname from a well–known Hindu sage. Several clans are called Garg, which is also a subset of the Brahim caste.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Saint
- Pronunciation: GAAHRG
- Namesakes: Rajinder Garg, an Indian member of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly since 2017. Pushpendra Kumar Garg, an Indian sportsperson in yachting and a bronze medalist at the 1994 Asian Games.
- Popularity: Garg is uncommon worldwide and primarily used in India, where it ranked 346th in 2014.
Ghaggar
Ghaggar’s origins are somewhat unknown for Indian last names on the list, but it’s associated with a river. The Ghaggar-Hakra River in India and Pakistan only flows during the monsoon season. There’s also the Ghaghara River, which starts in the Himalayas and is the longest in Nepal.
- Origin: Indian
- Meaning: Name of a river
- Pronunciation: GHAAG-aor
- Popularity: Ghaggar is extremely rare worldwide, with just five known occurrences in 2014, mainly in the U.S.
Ghosh
Gosh is normally found in Bengal and Bangladesh as an occupational name based on the Sanskrit “ghoṣa,” meaning “cowherd.” Others link it to a low caste of “milkmen,” but cows play a part either way.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Cowherd
- Pronunciation: GOASH
- Variations: Ghose
- Namesakes: Amitav Ghosh, the 16th governor of the Reserve Bank of India from Jan 15 to Feb 4, 1985. Rituparno Ghosh, an Indian film director whose film Unishe April won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in 1994.
- Popularity: Gosh ranked 146th worldwide and is primarily used in India, ranking 22nd in 2014.
Gowda
Gowda is an honorific title for the “head of a village.” The Gowdas were considered a ruling class, also known as Okkaligas, including landlords and landholders. It’s used for any group that helps head a particular Indian community.
- Origin: Indian
- Meaning: Village headman
- Pronunciation: GOUW-dah
- Variations: Goud, Gouda
- Namesakes: Venkate Gopala Gowda, a judge of the Supreme Court of India from 2012 to 2016. Girish N. Gowda, an Indian paralympic high jumper and silver medalist at the 2012 Summer Paralympic Games.
- Popularity: Gowda is rare worldwide, mostly used in India, and ranked 967th in Oman in 2014.
Gulati
Like many Indian surnames, Gulati is less clear about meaning than it is about origin. It refers to a clan in the Arora community, yet it is also an Italian surname originating in Milan.
- Origin: Indian, Italian
- Meaning: Unknown
- Pronunciation: Guw-LAA-tiy
- Namesakes: Gautam Gulati, an Indian actor known for the series Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani. Martha Gulati, a Canadian doctor and author of Saving Women’s Hearts.
- Popularity: Gulati is rare worldwide and mainly used in India, where it ranked 1,428th in 2014.
Gulzar
Gulzar is associated with the Persian “gul,” meaning “rose” or “flower.” Gulzar most often symbolizes a “blossoming garden” or “bed of roses” that is blooming.
- Origin: Indian, Persian
- Meaning: Bed of roses
- Pronunciation: GHOUL-zaar
- Variations: Golzar
- Namesakes: Gulzar (born Sampooran Singh Kalra), an Indian Urdu film director and winner of five Indian National Film Awards. Gulzar Singh Cheema, an Indian-Canadian member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 2001 to 2004.
- Popularity: Gulzar is rare worldwide and primarily used in Pakistan, ranking 285th in 2015.
Gupta
Gupta comes from the Sanskrit “goptri,” meaning “protector” or “governor.” It’s usually found in northeastern India, founded by the leader Chandragupta, the first emperor of the Mauryan Empire in ancient India.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Governor
- Pronunciation: GOOP-taa
- Namesakes: Mahendra Mohan Gupta, the Indian owner of the Dainik Jagran group of Hindi newspapers published in India. Appurv Gupta, an Indian stand-up comedian, ranked second in the “top 20 Indian stand-up comedians in 2014″ by CNN-IBN.
- Popularity: Gupta ranked 177th worldwide and is mostly used in India, where it ranked 25th in 2014.
Hebbar
Hebbar is composed of the Indian-Kannadian “hebbu,” meaning “big,” and “haruva,” meaning “brahmin.” Hebbar Iyengar is a caste of Hindu Brahmins with Tamil and Kannada origins in the Indian state of Karnataka.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Unknown
- Pronunciation: HEH-baar
- Namesakes: K.K. Hebbar, an Indian painter awarded the 1989 Padma Bhushan award by the Government of India. Rajesh Hebbar, an Indian actor appearing in Sundari (2015).
- Popularity: Hebbar is very rare worldwide and mainly used in India.
Hinduja
Hinduja represents the Indian “Hindustan” plus the “jaha” suffix. It’s used for anything connected to Hindustan, the Persian name for India. Nowadays, the Hindustan Times is an Indian English-language newspaper based in Delhi.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Related to Hindustan
- Pronunciation: HIHN-doo-Jah
- Variations: Hindocha
- Popularity: Hinduja is very rare worldwide and primarily used in India.
Iyengar
Iyengar originated with the Tamil “aiyangār,” from “aiyan,” meaning “sage,” “priest,” and “lord.” In Sanskrit, it comes from “ārya,” meaning “master.” Iyengar is a title of respect for everyone, from a father or father-in-law to a priest or wise man.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Father
- Pronunciation: Aey-EHN-gaar
- Namesakes: B.K.S. Iyengar, an Indian yoga teacher who founded Iyengar Yoga. S. Rangaswami Iyengar, the Indian editor of The Hindu from 1923 to 1926.
- Popularity: Iyengar is rare worldwide and mostly used in India.
Jain
Jain is linked to the “followers of Jainism,” called Jain Dharma. Jainism was named using the Sanskrit “jina,” meaning “victor” and “follower of Jina.” It can mean “triumphant” in honor of a saint in the Jain religion.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Followers of Jainism
- Pronunciation: JAEHN
- Namesakes: Kamini Jain, a Canadian sprint kayaker who competed at the 1994 Summer Olympics. Abigail Jain, an Indian actress known for the series Humse Hai Life.
- Popularity: Jain ranked 540th worldwide and is mainly used in India, ranking 83rd in 2014.
Jana
Jana is associated with a clan in West Bengal and is better known as a Hindu girl’s name, meaning “healthy child” and “harvest.” It’s also a Czech-Slovakian name meaning “descendant of John.”
- Origin: Indian, Czech
- Meaning: Unknown
- Pronunciation: JAA-nah
- Variations: Jena
- Popularity: Jana ranked 704th worldwide and is primarily used in India, where it ranked 104th in 2014.
Jha
Jha is one of the oldest surnames in India, based in the Vedic period. It’s a shortened variation of the Sanskrit “upādhyāya,” meaning “teacher.” Jhas were known as the Brahmin, a Hindu community of spiritually intelligent teachers.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Teacher
- Pronunciation: JAH
- Namesakes: Bidhu Jha, a Canadian member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 2003 to 2016. Kanak Jha, an American table tennis player and a two-time Olympian in 2016 and 2020.
- Popularity: Jha ranked 432nd worldwide and is mostly used in India, ranking 69th in 2014.
Jindal
Jindal is geographically based in the Jind district of northern India. It’s inspired by one of the eighteen sons of the Hindu king Maharaja Agrasen and has connections with Krishna himself.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: King of steel
- Pronunciation: JIHN-duhl
- Variations: Jaindl
- Namesakes: Piyush “Bobby” Jindal, the 55th governor of Louisiana from 2008 to 2016. Pragun Akhil Jindal, an Indian writer of The Black White & Grey: Recoloring The Rupiah.
- Popularity: Jindal is rare worldwide and mainly used in India, where it ranked 1,414th in 2014.
Jodha
Jodha’s cool meaning centers around Jodha Bai, the chief consort and wife of the third Mughal emperor, Akbar. She was the longest-serving Hindu empress of the Mughal Empire, who reigned for 43 years during the 15th- and 16th-centuries.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Princess, warrior
- Pronunciation: JHOHD-ah
- Variations: Jhodha
- Popularity: Jodha is very rare worldwide, primarily used in India, and ranked 1,429th in Guyana in 2014.
Joshi
With roots in India and Nepal, Joshi comes from the Sanskrit “yotisha,” meaning “astrologer.” Jyotisha is the name of Hindu astrology and astronomy, meaning “light bringer” or “reflect light like the sun.”
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Astrologer
- Pronunciation: JHOW-shiy
- Variations: Jyoshi
- Namesakes: Bipin Chandra Joshi, the 17th Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army from 1954 to 1994. Sharad Joshi, an Indian script writer awarded the Padma Shri in 1990.
- Popularity: Joshi ranked 863rd worldwide, is mostly used in India, and ranked 101st in Oman in 2014.
Kadam
Kadam is rich in various meanings, including “a unit of distance equal to 10 miles.” The Kadam school of Tibetan Buddhism was an 11th-century Buddhist tradition that focused on compassion and discipline.
- Origin: Indian, Marathi
- Meaning: Flower tree
- Pronunciation: KAH-daam
- Variations: Kardam
- Namesakes: Bhalchandra Kadam, an Indian actor known for the series Fu Bai Fu (2010 to 2014).
- Popularity: Kadam ranked 737th worldwide and is mainly used in India, ranking 108th in 2014.
Kanwar
Kanwar is an example of an Indian family name organized by caste. It means “heir to the throne” and “royal descendent.” Kanwar is taken from the Sanskrit “kumāra,” meaning “princely son of royalty.”
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Crown prince
- Pronunciation: KAAN-waar
- Variations: Kawar, Kunwar
- Namesakes: Narendra Kanwar, an Indian politician and the first female Rajasthani Royal Rajput Family member to become a government minister. Sarul Kanwar, an Indian cricketer for Punjab.
- Popularity: Kanwar ranked 816th worldwide and is primarily used in India, where it ranked 116th in 2014.
Kapoor
Kapoor was the name of a clan in the Khatri community led by Kapoor Chand. It’s also associated with the given name Karpura, meaning “camphor” and “saffron.”
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Camphor
- Pronunciation: Kah-POUR
- Variations: Kapur
- Namesakes: Prithviraj Kapoor, an Indian actor and one of the founding figures of Hindi cinema. Atul Kapoor, an Indian voice actor known for the series Bigg Boss (2006).
- Popularity: Kapoor is rare worldwide, mostly used in India, and ranked 456th in the United Arab Emirates in 2014.
Kaur
Kaur is a traditional surname first given to baptized female Sikhs. It was once thought to mean both “king” and “queen” and sometimes means “girl” and “daughter.”
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Lion, prince
- Pronunciation: KOHR
- Variations: Kour
- Namesakes: Rupi Kaur, a Canadian poet known for Milk and Honey (2014). Charmy Kaur, an Indian actress known for Mass (2004).
- Popularity: Kaur ranked 54th worldwide and is mainly used in India, ranking 5th in 2014.
Khan
Khan is one of the best-known titles for a “military chief” or “ruler.” It was used by leaders in the Mongol and Turkish empires and was also the top surname in Afghanistan in 2014.
- Origin: Indian, Pakistani
- Meaning: Ruler, king
- Pronunciation: KAAN
- Namesakes: Feroze Khan, the seventh prime minister of Pakistan from 1957 to 1958. Gul Khan, an Indian co-producer of 4 Lions Films.
- Popularity: Khan ranked 17th worldwide and is primarily used in Pakistan, where it ranked number one in 2014.
Khatun
Khatun, also appearing as Hatun, is a title for a “respectable woman.” The wife of a Khan originally used it. Khan also means “noble woman” and is the equivalent of “lady” today.
- Origin: Indian
- Meaning: Respectable woman
- Pronunciation: KHAH-toon
- Variations: Hatun
- Namesakes: Mandukhai Khatun, a 15th-century Khatun queen of the Northern Yuan in Bangladesh.
- Popularity: Khatun ranked 31st worldwide and is mostly used in Bangladesh, ranking 3rd in 2014.
Kholi
Kholi has no absolute meaning but originated with a Punjabi clan called Khatri. It’s also a Turkish name meaning “free.”
- Origin: Indian, Punjabi
- Meaning: Unknown
- Pronunciation: KOH-lee
- Variations: Kohli
- Popularity: Kholi is very rare worldwide and mainly used in India.
Krishna
Krishna may be the most famous of Indian last names inspired by the Hindu god. It means “dark,” referring to Krishna’s complexion, while the familiar phrase “Hare Krishna” is a chant in honor of the god Vishnu.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Black, dark
- Pronunciation: KHRISH-naa
- Popularity: Krishna is rare worldwide, primarily used in India, and ranked 36th in Fiji in 2014.
Kshatriya
Kshatriya is the name of an Indian warrior caste, also meaning “governing body” and “military personnel” in Sanskrit. The Sanskrit root “kṣatra” means “rule” and “authority,” representing one of the social orders of Hindu society.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Warrior, king
- Pronunciation: Shah-TRIY-ah
- Popularity: Kshatriya is rare worldwide and mostly used in India.
Kumar
Kumar is based on the Sanskrit “kumara,” meaning “prince.” In Hindu mythology, Kumar is the son of Skanda, the god of war. Kumar is also a Hindu boy’s name meaning “male child” or “son.”
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Prince
- Pronunciation: KUW-maar
- Namesakes: Jitendra Kumar, an Indian actor known for the series TVF Pitchers. Rohit Kumar, an Indian footballer for the Indian national team.
- Popularity: Kumar ranked 11th worldwide, is mainly used in India, and ranked number one in Fiji in 2014.
Laghari
Laghari is a name given to the Baloch clan of the Rind tribe, who lived in Pakistan and Iran. The Laghari tribe spoke Saraiki or Balochi in Punjabi and Sindhi-Siraiki in Sindh.
- Origin: Indian, Pakistani
- Meaning: Unknown
- Pronunciation: Lah-GAAR-iy
- Variations: Leghari, Lighari
- Namesakes: Farooq Leghari, the eighth President of Pakistan from 1993 to 1997.
- Popularity: Laghari is rare worldwide and primarily used in Pakistan, where it ranked 306th in 2014.
Lal
Lal is a northern Indian surname, also a title for the Hindu god Krishna. It’s used as a term of endearment from the Sanskrit “lāla,” meaning “cajoling” and “caressing” as a first name.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Darling
- Pronunciation: LAAL
- Namesakes: Sanjay Lal, an American football coach for the Seattle Seahawks. Prerna Lal, a Fijian-American writer and founder of the Dream Act movement.
- Popularity: Lal ranked 97th worldwide, is mainly used in India, and ranked 5th in Fiji in 2014.
Makavan
Makavan is associated with the Hindu saint Markandey. It mainly appears as the variation Makwana, in honor of the Makwana clan of Hindus and Muslims in Gujarat.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Markandey (deity)
- Pronunciation: Unknown
- Variations: Makwana
- Popularity: Makavan ranked 612th worldwide and is primarily used in India, ranking 39th in 2014.
Mandal
Mandal’s main meaning is based on “mondal,” for a “chief of the village” in India, Nepal and Bangladesh. The closely-related Sanskrit “maṇḍala” represents a geometric design that symbolizes the universe in Hindu and Buddhist practices.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Village chief
- Pronunciation: MAAN-dahl
- Variations: Mondal
- Namesakes: Nibir Mandal, an Indian geologist awarded the 2005 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology. Anil Mandal, a Nepalese cricketer for Nepal.
- Popularity: Mandal ranked 105th worldwide and is mostly used in India, where it ranked 12th in 2014.
Mehrotra
Mehrotra derives from “mehra” and “mihra,” meaning “sun,” “chief,” and “master,” It’s a name within the Khatri clan that isn’t as central to Indian culture as it was.
- Origin: Indian, Khatri
- Meaning: Chief master
- Pronunciation: Meh-ROWT-raa
- Variations: Malhotra
- Namesakes: Manish Mehrotra, an Indian chef appearing on Master Chef India 2015. Tulika Mehrotra, an American writer for Harper’s Bazaar.
- Popularity: Mehrotra is rare worldwide, mainly used in India, and ranked 1,573rd in Singapore in 2014.
Menon
Menon dates back to the Indian Malayalam “mēnōn,” first meaning “accountant.” It’s also associated with “mēnavan,” made up of “mēl,” meaning “high,” and “avan,” meaning “he.” Menon was a hereditary title for the rulers of Kerala.
- Origin: Indian, Keralan
- Meaning: Exalted one
- Pronunciation: MEH-nown
- Namesakes: Sandhya Menon, an Indian-American writer known for When Dimple Met Rishi (2017). Rajith Menon, an Indian actor appearing in Ninaithathu Yaaro (2017).
- Popularity: Menon is rare worldwide, primarily used in India, and ranked 31st in Bahrain in 2014.
Mishra
Mishra comes from the Sanskrit “mišra,” meaning “mixed” and “manifold.” As a “honorable” title, it was given to someone who learned and could recite the four Vedas religious texts.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Honorable
- Pronunciation: MIYS-rah
- Variations: Misra
- Namesakes: Sanjay Mishra, an Indian actor who won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor for Ankhon Dekhi (2015). Nripendra Misra, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India from 2014 to 2019.
- Popularity: Mishra ranked 274th worldwide and is mostly used in India, ranking 44th in 2014.
Mittal
Mittal is a Hindu and Jain surname deriving from a clan in the Agarwal Bania community. It’s also linked to the Sanskrit “mitra,” meaning “friend” and “ally.”
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Friend
- Pronunciation: MIHT-ahl
- Namesakes: Ankur Mittal, an Indian sports shooter and gold medalist at the 2018 ISSF World Shooting Championships. Madhur Mittal, an Indian actor known for Slumdog Millionaire (2008).
- Popularity: Mittal is rare worldwide and mainly used in India, where it ranked 602nd in 2014.
Mukhopadhyay
Mukhopadhyay is made up of the Sanskrit “mukhya,” meaning “chief,” and “upadhyaya,” meaning “teacher.” It’s often interchangeable with Mukherjee and also means “principal teacher.”
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Chief teacher
- Pronunciation: MOOK-How-paad-Haey
- Variations: Mukherjee
- Namesakes: Ashutosh Mukhopadhyay, an Indian writer known for Chalachal (1956). Bhudev Mukhopadhyay, an Indian writer known for Anguriya Binimoy (1857).
- Popularity: Mukhopadhyay is rare worldwide and primarily used in India, ranking 1,168th in 2014.
Nadar
Nadar is a title inspired by the Nelamaikkarars, an aristocratic class in the Shanar community. It also means “noble one” and is the name of a village in Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Origin: Indian
- Meaning: Unknown
- Pronunciation: Nah-DAAR
- Variations: Nadan
- Namesakes: W. P. A. Soundarapandian Nadar, an Indian member of the Madras Legislative Council, called the uncrowned king of the Nadar community. Shanmuga Nadar, an Indian chairman of the Sivakasi municipality between 1952 and 1955.
- Popularity: Nadar is rare worldwide, mostly used in India, and ranked 643rd in Pakistan in 2014.
Namboothiri
Namboothiri is rooted in a Malayali Brahmin caste who came from the Indian state of Kerala. The most elite class in Kerala, Namboothiri, is also known for extreme orthodoxy.
- Origin: Indian, Kerala
- Meaning: Unknown
- Pronunciation: Naam-BUW-thiriy
- Variations: Nambūdiri, Namboodiri, Nampūtiri
- Namesakes: Cherusseri Namboothiri, an Indian court poet for Udaya Varma, between 1446 and 1475. Unnikrishnan Namboothiri, an Indian actor known for Kalyanaraman (2002).
- Popularity: Namboothiri is rare worldwide and mainly used in India.
Pal
Pal sometimes appears as Paul in India and Bangladesh. It derives from the Sanskrit “pāla,” meaning “keeper,” “guard,” and “herdsman.” Pal is also a title for the Hindu god Krishna.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Protector
- Pronunciation: PAAL
- Variations: Paul
- Namesakes: Sunil Pal, an Indian comedian known for Bhavnao Ko Samjho (2010). Subrata Pal, an Indian footballer for ATK Mohun Bagan.
- Popularity: Pal ranked 169th worldwide and is primarily used in India, where it ranked 23rd in 2014.
Pallar
Pallar isn’t associated with a specific meaning except “pallam,” given to a “low-lying geographical landform,” i.e., a “river valley.” Pallar is also part of the Devendrakula Velalar caste, a Tamil agricultural clan that worked around river valleys.
- Origin: Indian
- Meaning: River valley
- Pronunciation: PAAL-ahr
- Variations: Pallars
- Popularity: Pallar is very rare worldwide and mostly used in the Philippines.
Pandit
Pandit was used as a prefix for a scholar’s name, as in Pandit Nehru. Hindu priests are also called “pandits,” though it can refer to anyone “knowledgeable.”
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Teacher
- Pronunciation: PAAN-diht
- Variations: Pandith, Pandita
- Namesakes: Vijayta Pandit, an Indian actress known for Love Story (1981). Ashoke Pandit, an Indian filmmaker and president of the Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association.
- Popularity: Pandit ranked 524th worldwide and is mainly used in India, ranking 82nd in 2014.
Patel
Patel also means “farmer,” but was first derived from the Gujarati “patlikh,” which was given to an owner of the land. One of the most popular Indian surnames, Patel also ranked 9th in England in 2014.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Village headman
- Pronunciation: Paa-TEHL
- Variations: Patell
- Namesakes: Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Deputy Prime Minister from 1947 to 1950. Nikki Patel, an English actress known for the soap opera Coronation Street.
- Popularity: Patel ranked 119th worldwide, is primarily used in India, and ranked 14th in the U.S. in 2017.
Patnaik
Patnaik was originally a title for the record keepers of medieval India. It originated in Odisha and West Bengal, but has no official meaning in the books.
- Origin: Indian
- Meaning: Unknown
- Pronunciation: PAAT-naeyk
- Variations: Pattnaik, Pattnayak
- Namesakes: Gopal Ballav Pattanaik, the 32nd Chief Justice of India from November to December 2002. R. P. Patnaik, an Indian director and winner of three Filmfare Awards and three Nandi Awards.
- Popularity: Patnaik is rare worldwide, mostly used in India, and ranked 1,962nd in Bahrain in 2014.
Pradhan
Pradhan comes from the Sanskrit “pradhāna,” meaning “chief,” and was an official Hindu title that morphed into a surname. Pradhan can be used for any “leader” revered by others.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Chief
- Pronunciation: Prahd-HAAN
- Namesakes: Parasmani Pradhan, an Indian writer who helped establish Nepali as one of the official languages of India. Sanju Pradhan, an Indian footballer for Bhawanipore FC.
- Popularity: Pradhan ranked 340th worldwide, is mainly used in India, and ranked 37th in Bhutan in 2014.
Prasad
Prasad refers to any “food offering to the gods,” yet also means “gift of God” in Sanskrit for boys. Prasad is sometimes part of a compound surname like Deviprasad, meaning “gift of the god Hari.”
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Offering to the gods
- Pronunciation: Prah-SAAD
- Variations: Prashad
- Namesakes: R. Prasad, an Indian cartoonist for Mail Today. Tanka Prasad Acharya, the 19th Prime Minister of Nepal from 1956 to 1957.
- Popularity: Prasad ranked 138th worldwide, is primarily used in India, and ranked number one in Fiji in 2014.
Pujari
Pujari means “priest” in Sanskrit and was used for the priestly class of the Maratha community. The Maranthas of Rameshwar were the first bearers of the name in Maharashtra, India.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Priest
- Pronunciation: POO-jaah-Riy
- Variations: Pujara, Pujari
- Namesakes: Anuradha Sharma Pujari, an Indian journalist and editor for Satsori.
- Popularity: Pujari ranked 1,850th worldwide and is mostly used in India, where it ranked 152nd in 2014.
Raj
Raj is based on the Sanskrit “rājā,” meaning “king.” It also means “rule” or “kingdom” and was part of longer names like Prithviraj, meaning “king of the earth.”
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: King
- Pronunciation: RAAJH
- Variations: Raja
- Namesakes: Mithali Raj, an Indian cricketer and captain of the India women’s national cricket team from 2004 to 2022. Venus Raj, a Filipino model crowned Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2010.
- Popularity: Raj ranked 458th worldwide, is mainly used in India, and ranked 19th in Oman in 2014.
Rajput
Rajput is taken from the Sanskrit “raja-putra,” meaning “son of a king.” It’s the title for a prince, while those born under the Rajas caste are near royal themselves. The Rajputs were a warrior clan from northern India who were typically Hindu.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Son of a king
- Pronunciation: RAAJ-puwt
- Popularity: Rajput is uncommon worldwide, primarily used in India, and ranked 302nd in Pakistan in 2014.
Ram
Ram derives from the Sanskrit “rāma,” meaning “charming.” In Hindu mythology, Ram is the seventh incarnation of the god Vishnu. Like other surnames in India, Ram would be used as part of other names like Atmaram and Sitaram.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Pleasing
- Pronunciation: RAAM
- Variations: Ramm
- Namesakes: Narasimhan Ram, an Indian journalist and managing director of The Hindu since 1977. Andy Ram, an Israeli tennis player who won the mixed doubles title at the 2006 Wimbledon Championships.
- Popularity: Ram ranked 83rd worldwide and is mainly used in India, ranking 6th in 2014.
Rani
Rani is a mostly southern Indian surname based on the Sanskrit “rājñī,” meaning “queen.” It became an invented surname for Indian women, first for the wife of a Raj.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Queen
- Pronunciation: RAAN-iy
- Namesakes: Devika Rani, an Indian actress and the first recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1970. Anita Rani, an English TV presenter nominated as Best On Screen Personality at the 2005 Royal Television Society Midlands Awards.
- Popularity: Rani ranked 237th worldwide and is mainly used in India, where it ranked 41st in 2014.
Rao
Rao dates back to the ancient “raja,” meaning “king” in India. It’s also a popular Chinese surname meaning “rich,” “abundant,” and “exuberant” – all attributes of a great king.
- Origin: Indian, Chinese
- Meaning: King
- Pronunciation: RAOW
- Namesakes: Vandana Rao, an Indian track athlete who competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics. P. V. Narasimha Rao, the 9th prime minister of India from 1991 to 1996.
- Popularity: Rao ranked 363rd worldwide, is primarily used in China, and ranked 43rd in Oman in 2014.
Rathore
Raptors is the name of a Rajput clan from northern India, which was then adopted by the Teli community in 1931. It may also mean: “man known for his bravery.”
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Unknown
- Pronunciation: RAATH-ohr
- Variations: Rathod
- Namesakes: Reshma Rathore, an Indian actress awarded Best Confident Face of the Year 2012. R. S. Rathore, an Indian cricket umpire in four ODI games between 1986 and 1991.
- Popularity: Rathore is rare worldwide, primarily used in India, and ranked 1,010th in the United Arab Emirates in 2014.
Ray
Ray may look English, but it’s a variant of Rai, taken from the Sanskrit “raja,” meaning “king.” Ray is a nickname deriving from the French “rei” and “roy,” also meaning “king.”
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: King
- Pronunciation: RAEY
- Variations: Rai
- Namesakes: Pratibha Ray, an Indian writer awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2022. Satyajit Ray, an Indian known for The Apu Trilogy (1955 to 1959).
- Popularity: Ray ranked 112th worldwide and is mainly used in India, ranking 15th in 2014.
Sah
Sah is an Indian-Gujarati word meaning “merchant.” It’s also associated with the Sanskrit “sadhu,” meaning “honest” and “good.” Sah is sometimes linked to the Persian “shah,” meaning “king.”
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Merchant
- Pronunciation: SAAH
- Variations: Shah, Sha
- Namesakes: Chih-Tang Sah, a Chinese-American known for inventing CMOS logic with Frank Wanlass in 1963.
- Popularity: Sah ranked 125th worldwide and is primarily used in India, where it ranked 18th in 2014.
Sahu
Sahu may be based on the Sanskrit “sadhu,” meaning “gentle,” yet has come to mean “businessman” or “moneylender.” It’s part of a people known as “sahukar,” from a caste known for their business acumen.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Businessman
- Pronunciation: SAA-huw
- Variations: Sahoo
- Namesakes: Sarojini Sahoo, an Indian columnist for The New Indian Express. Kishore Sahu, an Indian filmmaker whose film Kuwara Baap was one of the winners of the 1943 BFJA – Best Indian Films Award.
- Popularity: Sahu ranked 186th worldwide and is mainly used in India, ranking 24th in 2014.
Saki
Saki’s origins are unclear, but it means “friend” in India or “bartender” in Hindi and Persian. Saki is also a Japanese girl’s name meaning “blossom” and “hope.”
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Friend
- Pronunciation: SAA-kiy
- Variations: Seki
- Popularity: Saki is rare worldwide, mainly used in Bangladesh, and ranked 274th in Papua New Guinea in 2014.
Sarkar
Sarkar means “government” in Bengali and Hindi, but is also based on the Persian “sarkar,” meaning “chief” or “lord.” It’s most known in eastern India and was likely used by any government head.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Governance
- Pronunciation: SAAR-kahr
- Variations: Sharkar
- Namesakes: Sucharit Sarkar, an Indian professor of mathematics and a gold medalist at the 2001 International Mathematical Olympiads. Amal Kumar Sarkar, the eighth Chief Justice of India from Mar to Jun 1966.
- Popularity: Sarkar ranked 202nd worldwide and is primarily used in India, where it ranked 31st in 2014.
Sastry
Sastry derives from the Sanskrit “shastri,” meaning “scholar.” It specifically refers to someone skilled in the Shastras, which are ancient texts. The Sanskrit “šāstra” refers to a “book of rules and religious treatises.”
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Scholar
- Pronunciation: SAAS-triy
- Variations: Sastri
- Namesakes: Arvind Sastry, an Indian director known for Kahi (Bitter) in 2016. Penumarti Viswanatha Sastry, an Indian writer who won the 1997 Sahitya Akademi Award.
- Popularity: Sastry is rare worldwide and mostly used in India.
Sekh
Sekh is used for Muslim leaders but may refer to someone who practices the Sikh religion. Sikhs originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of India and practice a combination of Hinduism and Islam.
- Origin: Indian
- Meaning: Muslim leader
- Pronunciation: SIYK
- Variations: Sheikh
- Popularity: Sekh ranked 221st worldwide and is mainly used in India, ranking 28th in 2014.
Shankar
Shankar comes from a personal name taken from Sanskrit, “šankara,” meaning “happiness” and “prosperity.” It’s another name for the Hindu god Shiva and is a variation of Sankaran, meaning “giver of bliss.”
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Causing happiness
- Pronunciation: SHAAN-kahr
- Variations: Sankar
- Namesakes: Ravi Shankar, an Indian sitarist and most famous expert on North Indian classical music in the second half of the 20th-century. Mani Shankar, a director known for 16 December (2002).
- Popularity: Shankar ranked 879th worldwide and is primarily used in India, where it ranked 135th in 2014.
Sharma
Sharma comes from the Sanskrit “šarmā,” meaning “joy” and “shelter.” It’s associated with the priestly Brahmin caste and often means “bliss,” “happiness,” and “warmth.”
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Joy
- Pronunciation: SHAHR-maa
- Variations: Sarma, Sarmah
- Namesakes: Ankit Sharma, an Indian footballer for Deportivo San Cristóbal de Los Angeles. Ashish Sharma, an Indian actor appearing in the series Siya Ke Ram (2015).
- Popularity: Sharma ranked 109th worldwide and is mostly used in India, ranking 14th in 2014.
Singh
Singh means “lion” with the Sanskrit “siṃha,” which also means “hero” or “eminent person.” It’s often used as a title and is part of the city name Singapore, meaning “city of the lion.” Singh ranked 10th among Indian-American surnames in 2017.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Lion
- Pronunciation: SIHNG
- Variations: Singha
- Namesakes: Charan Singh, the 5th prime minister of India from 1979 to 1980. Harjeet Singh, an Indian field hockey player who captained the Indian national team at the 2016 Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup.
- Popularity: Singh ranked 9th worldwide and is mainly used in India, where it ranked 2nd in 2014.
Tata
Tata comes from the Gujarati “tat” and Sanskrit “tāta,” both a pet name for a “father.” It also means “father” when used in many Slavic and Italian names.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Father
- Pronunciation: TAA-tah
- Namesakes: J.R.D. Tata, the Indian chairman of the Tata Group who founded Air India. Joe. E. Tata, an American actor known for the series Beverly Hills, 90210.
- Popularity: Tata is rare worldwide and primarily used in Cameroon, ranking 90th in 2014.
Thakur
Thakur originally appeared as the Sanskrit Thakkura. It was a title used by higher caste families in India and Nepal and is the name of an Adivasi Hindu tribe in Maharashtra, India. Thakur village survives as a modern place name today in Mumbai.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Chief, master
- Pronunciation: THAA-kuhr
- Variations: Thakkar
- Namesakes: Monali Thakur, an Indian singer and winner of a 2015 National Film Award for the song Moh Moh Ke Dhaage. Rajshree Thakur, an Indian actress known for the series Saat Phere: Saloni Ka Safar.
- Popularity: Thakur ranked 276th worldwide and is mostly used in India, where it ranked 50th in 2014.
Trivedi
Trivedi originated in northwest India and was given to someone who knew “three of the four vedas (scriptures).” Trivedi is made up of the Sanskrit “tri,” meaning “three,” and “veda,” meaning “sacred knowledge.”
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: One who knows the Vedas
- Pronunciation: Trih-VEH-dee
- Namesakes: R. K. Trivedi, the governor of Gujarat from 1986 to 1990. Lina Trivedi, an American entrepreneur known for writing the first 136 poems of Beanie Babies.
- Popularity: Trivedi is rare worldwide and mainly used in India, ranking 665th in 2014.
Vaisya
Vaisya is based on the Vaishya caste, one of ancient India’s four Hindu social classes. The Vaishya were commoners who typically worked in labor, production, and agriculture.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Unknown
- Pronunciation: VAEYSH-Yaa
- Variations: Vaishya
- Popularity: Vaisya is extremely rare worldwide, with 68 known occurrences in 2014, primarily in India.
Varma
Varma has roots in north-central India and derives from the Sanskrit “varman,” meaning “protection.” It was first used by the Kshatriya caste, but appears all over the Indian subcontinent today.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Armor
- Pronunciation: VAAR-mah
- Variations: Verma, Varman
- Namesakes: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (born Mahesh Prasad Varma), the Indian creator of Transcendental Meditation (TM). Indira Varma, a British actress known for the HBO series Rome.
- Popularity: Varma ranked 701st worldwide and is mainly used in India, where it ranked 100th in 2014.
Vyas
Vyas is taken from the Sanskrit “vyāsa,” meaning “compiler.” Vyas(a) was a title for a sage who compiled the Veda into four texts. The idea was to benefit humanity at the end of every age, making Veda one of the most elite Indian family names.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Compiler, preacher
- Pronunciation: VIY-ahs
- Variations: Vyasa
- Namesakes: C. R. Vyas, an Indian classical singer known for singing in the khyal style, a form of Hindustani classical music.
- Popularity: Vyas is rare worldwide, mainly used in India, and ranked 645th in Oman in 2014.
Waghela
Waghela is inspired by an Indian village called Vyaghrapalli, meaning “tiger’s lair.” It ultimately comes from the goddess Vyaghreshvari, a dynasty that took power during the 13th century.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Tiger’s lair
- Pronunciation: WAAG-heh-Laa
- Variations: Vaghela
- Popularity: Waghela is rare worldwide and primarily used in India.
Yadav
Yada comes from the Sanskrit “yadava,” meaning “descendant of Yadu.” Yadu was a Hindu king considered an ancestor of the god Krishna.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Of Yadu
- Pronunciation: YAAH-duhv
- Variations: Yadava
- Namesakes: K. C. Yadav, an Indian historian and founder of the Journal of Haryana Studies. Parul Yadav, an Indian actress appearing in the soap opera Bhagyavidhaata (2009).
- Popularity: Yadav ranked 75th worldwide, is mostly used in India, and ranked 3rd in Nepal in 2014.
Zacharia
Zacharia is an Indian-Kerala surname used by Christians in southern India. It’s also a boy’s name associated with the Hebrew name Zechariah, meaning “God has remembered.”
- Origin: Indian, Hebrew
- Meaning: God has remembered
- Pronunciation: Zah-KAAR-iy-Ah
- Variations: Za’kāriyā
- Namesakes: Paul Zacharia, an Indian-Malayalam writer and recipient of the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award.
- Popularity: Zacharia is rare worldwide and mainly used in Tanzania, ranking 5th in 2014.
Indian Surnames FAQs
What Is the Top Surname In India?
As of 2023, Devi is the most popular among Indian last names and is currently used by over 70 million people in India. It ranked 6th worldwide in 2014 and means “goddess” in Sanskrit, though it’s mainly used by the Hindu community. Devi is inspired by the ancient goddess Mahadevi, who symbolizes the boundless energy known as “shakti.”
What Is the Most Common Indian Last Name in the U.S.?
Patel was the most common Indian last name in the U.S. in 2013 and is found among 150,000 Americans or one in five people. Patel is a Gujarati surname that ranked 14th among U.S. last names in 2017. It means “headman” or “village chief” and was once a title for leaders and rulers alone.
How Do Indian Surnames Work?
Indian last names come after a given name and are formed using elements like a father’s first name or place of origin. They are influenced by things such as occupation or a caste title. The Indian caste system was used to organize different socio-economic populations into groups using a name. Some were royal, and others denoted a skill or trade.
