The Most Popular Last Name in India, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the last name you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:42
In a country as diverse as India, where the tapestry of culture and heritage weaves together numerous ethnicities, last names carry with them stories and origins that are often centuries old. Understanding which surnames are the most common can provide fascinating insights into the historical migrations and social structures of the region. This ranking seeks to illuminate the patterns and prevalence of last names, shedding light on how deeply interconnected the communities in India are.
By participating in this ongoing survey, you contribute to a clearer portrayal of Indian demographics and cultural tendencies. Your vote helps to more accurately determine the commonality of certain surnames, offering everyone a clearer view of how names can connect individuals and families across geographic and cultural divides. This dynamic ranking adjusts with each new vote, reflecting real-time shifts and trends in the popularity of these names.
What Is the Most Popular Last Name in India?
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146votesPatel is the most common surname in India, especially in Gujarat and Rajasthan. It is derived from the word "patlikh," which means record-keeper. It is believed that Patels were once responsible for keeping records for the ruling families and were therefore given the surname Patel.Patel is a widely renowned last name in India, particularly among individuals of Gujarati origin. It holds significant historical and cultural importance within the Indian community.
- Origin: India
- Region: Gujarat
- Meaning: Derived from the word 'Patidar' which refers to a landowner or village head.
- Popularity: One of the most common last names in India with a prevalence among various communities and castes.
- Community: Primarily associated with individuals belonging to the Patel community.
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259votesSingh is a surname commonly found in the Sikh community and is derived from the Sanskrit word "simha," which means lion. It is considered a symbol of courage and strength.Singh is a common last name in India, particularly among individuals belonging to the Sikh community. It holds significant cultural and historical importance.
- Origin: Singh is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Simha,' meaning lion, and is traditionally used as a surname by male Sikhs.
- Meaning: Singh signifies bravery, courage, and equality among Sikh males. It emphasizes the qualities of a lion, symbolizing fearlessness.
- Significance: The adoption of Singh as a last name by Sikh males is a way of expressing their commitment to Sikh values, including justice, equality, and serving the community.
- Religious Connection: Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of Sikhism, introduced the mandatory use of 'Singh' as the surname for baptized Sikh males.
- Popularity: Singh is one of the most common last names in India and is prevalent not only among Sikhs but also among individuals from various religions and regions.
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326votesKumar is a common surname in India and is derived from the Sanskrit word "kumara," which means prince or son. It is commonly used in the northern part of India.Kumar is one of the most popular last names in India. It is primarily used as a surname by individuals belonging to the Hindu community. Kumar holds significant cultural and historical significance in India.
- Origin: Derived from Sanskrit word 'Kumara' meaning 'youth' or 'son'
- Meaning: Typically signifies the eldest son in a family or symbolizes youthfulness and vitality
- Usage: Primarily used as a surname in India across various regions and communities
- Popularity: One of the most common last names in India and among Indian diaspora
- Distribution: Widespread across multiple states and regions in India
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419votesSharma is a Brahmin surname that is commonly found in the northern part of India. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "sharma," which means joy, happiness, or comfort.Sharma is a widely adopted last name in India, particularly among the Brahmins, which is the highest caste in the Hindu social hierarchy. It has historical roots and carries significant cultural and religious significance.
- Popularity: One of the most common last names in India
- Meaning: Derived from the Sanskrit word 'sharm', meaning 'protection', 'joy' or 'happiness'
- Caste: Primarily associated with the Brahmin caste, who traditionally held positions as priests, teachers, and scholars
- Region: Prominent among people from northern parts of India, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana
- History: The name Sharma dates back centuries, and its association with the Brahmin caste signifies their importance in society
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522votesGupta is a common surname in the northern part of India and is derived from the Sanskrit word "gupta," which means protected or hidden. It is believed to have been a title given to people who were responsible for protecting the kingdom.Gupta is one of the most popular last names in India. It is primarily associated with the Hindu community and is derived from the Sanskrit word 'gupta', which means 'protected' or 'hidden'. The Gupta surname has historical significance and is believed to have originated from the Gupta Empire, a prominent dynasty in ancient India.
- Origin: Gupta Empire in ancient India
- Community: Hindu
- Meaning: Protected or hidden
- Popularity: One of the most popular last names in India
- Historical Significance: Associated with the Gupta Empire
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69votesJoshi is a Brahmin surname that is commonly found in the northern part of India. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "jyotishi," which means astrologer. It is believed to have been a title given to people who were experts in astrology.Joshi is a common Indian last name originating from the Marathi language.
- Origin: Marathi
- Meaning: Vedic astrologers
- Region: Maharashtra, India
- Caste: Brahmin
- Popularity: One of the most common surnames in Maharashtra
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710votesShah is a common surname in India and is derived from the Persian word "shah," which means king or ruler. It is commonly used by people of the Gujarati, Kutchi, and Sindhi communities.Shah is one of the most popular last names in India. It is predominantly found among the Gujarati and Parsi communities. The name 'Shah' holds historical significance and is associated with a variety of meanings including 'king' or 'ruler'.
- Origin: The name 'Shah' originated from Persian and Arabic roots.
- Region: Most commonly found in Gujarat and Maharashtra states of India.
- Meaning: Primarily translates to 'king', 'ruler', or 'emperor'.
- Popularity: Shah is one of the most common surnames in India, particularly among the Gujarati and Parsi communities.
- Gujarati Shahs: Gujarati Shahs are traditionally associated with business, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy.
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813votesChoudhary is a common surname in India and is derived from the Hindi word "choudhary," which means headman or leader. It is commonly used by people of the Rajput and Jat communities.Choudhary is one of the most popular last names in India, particularly among Rajput and Jat communities. It is also commonly spelt as Chaudhary or Chowdhury. The name signifies a position of authority and implies leadership or headship in a community or village. Choudhary is derived from the term 'Choudhur', which means 'village headman' or 'chief'. The name has its origins in the landowning and warrior caste system prevalent in ancient India.
- Popularity: It is one of the most popular last names in India.
- Significance: Implies leadership or headship in a community or village.
- Origin: Derived from the term 'Choudhur', meaning 'village headman' or 'chief'.
- Usage: Commonly used in Rajput and Jat communities.
- Spelling Variations: Choudhary, Chaudhary, Chowdhury.
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916votesMishra is a Brahmin surname that is commonly found in the northern part of India. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "mishra," which means mixed or blended. It is believed to have been a title given to people who were experts in mixing or blending herbs.Mishra is a commonly found last name in India, particularly among people of Brahmin caste. It is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Mishram', which means 'mixed' or 'composed'. The Mishra surname is prevalent in various regions of India, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Odisha, and it signifies the Brahmins who specialize in the 'mixing' of different things, such as knowledge, rituals, or teachings.
- Origin: Derived from the Sanskrit word 'Mishram'
- Meaning: 'Mixed' or 'composed'
- Popularity: One of the most popular last names in India
- Associated with: People of Brahmin caste
- Region: Prevalent in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Odisha
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1010votesReddy is a surname commonly found in the Telugu community of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is derived from the Telugu word "reddi," which means village headman.Reddy is a common last name in India, particularly among the Telugu community. It is derived from the title 'Reddy,' which historically referred to a class of landed gentry or nobility in the Telugu-speaking regions. The Reddy surname holds significant cultural and social significance.
- Origin: Telugu-speaking regions of India
- Meaning: Derived from the title 'Reddy'
- Popularity: One of the most common surnames in India
- Region: Primarily associated with the Telugu community
- Historical Significance: Associated with the landed gentry or nobility
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular last name
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Regional diversityIndia is a vast country with numerous languages, ethnicities, and cultures. As a result, different regions of India have different popular last names.
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Religion and casteIndia is a secular country with various religions and castes, which often reflect in the last names. So, while determining popular last names, one must consider the religious and caste-based variations.
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Population sizeThe sheer size of India's population means that even a relatively common last name represents a significant number of people. Therefore, consider the total population distribution across different states and regions while ranking last names.
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Historical contextThe origin and historical context of surnames in India will help understand their prevalence. This includes migrations, changes in social structures, and even legislation (e.g., the abolition of caste-based surnames in certain states).
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Data robustnessAccess to reliable, up-to-date data sources, such as government records, census data, and academic research, will help provide accurate rankings of popular last names in India.
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Name etymologyAnalyzing the meaning and origin of the last names can help identify common themes and patterns across regions, languages, and cultures, giving a broader picture of popularity.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular last name in India. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or surname is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 10631 views
- 243 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each surname once every 24 hours. The rank of each surname is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular last name in india
India is a country rich in culture and diversity, with a population of over 1.3 billion people. With such a large population, it's no surprise that there are a wide variety of last names in use across the country. In fact, there are estimated to be over 100,000 different last names in India!
Despite this diversity, there are some last names that are more common than others. The most popular last name in India is Patel, which is believed to be of Gujarati origin. Other common last names in India include Singh, Kumar, Sharma, and Gupta.
It's important to note that last names in India often reflect a person's caste or community, and can provide insight into their family history and background. While last names are not always indicative of a person's social status or achievements, they can still hold significant cultural and personal meaning in Indian society.
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