Most Common Indian Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

This comprehensive guide delves into the most common Indian last names, exploring their origins and meanings. From traditional Hindu surnames to those with roots in other cultures and religions, we present a diverse list of names that provide insight into the rich tapestry of Indian culture. These last names offer a glimpse into the family history, caste, and geographical origins of individuals, reflecting the fascinating diversity of the Indian population.
1. **Sharma:** Derived from the Sanskrit word "Sharmā," meaning "learned," "wise," or "scholar." This surname is prevalent among the Brahmin caste, indicating a lineage of scholars and priests.
2. **Kumar:** A common surname, literally meaning "son" or "prince" in Sanskrit. It is often used as a suffix to the father's name, indicating their lineage.
3. **Singh:** This name is derived from the Sanskrit word "Simha," meaning "lion." It is predominantly associated with the Sikh community and symbolizes strength, courage, and nobility.
4. **Patel:** This surname originates from the Gujarati word "Patel," signifying a village headman or chief. It is commonly found among the Patidar caste, known for their agricultural and entrepreneurial skills.
5. **Gupta:** This surname comes from the Sanskrit word "Gupta," meaning "secret" or "hidden." It is associated with the Vaishya caste, historically known for their merchant and trading activities.
6. **Verma:** Derived from the Sanskrit word "Varma," meaning "armor" or "protection." This surname is commonly found among the Kshatriya caste, traditionally known for their warrior and ruling classes.
7. **Khanna:** This surname is believed to have originated from the Punjabi word "Khanna," meaning "a place with many wells." It is associated with the Khatri caste, known for their business and trading backgrounds.
8. **Jha:** This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word "Jha," meaning "to shine" or "to illuminate." It is primarily found among the Brahmin caste, indicating a lineage of scholars and priests.
9. **Mishra:** This surname originates from the Sanskrit word "Mishra," meaning "mixed" or "combined." It is associated with the Brahmin caste, indicating a lineage of scholars and priests.
10. **Pandey:** This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word "Pandita," meaning "learned" or "scholarly." It is commonly found among the Brahmin caste, indicating a lineage of scholars and priests.
11. **Srivastava:** This surname originates from the Sanskrit word "Sri," meaning "wealth" or "prosperity," and "Vastu," meaning "dwelling" or "house." It is associated with the Vaishya caste, historically known for their merchant and trading activities.
12. **Trivedi:** This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word "Tri," meaning "three," and "Vedi," meaning "altar." It is commonly found among the Brahmin caste, indicating a lineage of scholars and priests.
13. **Chauhan:** This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word "Chauhan," meaning "one who guards." It is associated with the Rajput caste, known for their warrior and ruling classes.
14. **Tiwari:** This surname originates from the Sanskrit word "Tiwari," meaning "one who guards a place." It is commonly found among the Brahmin caste, indicating a lineage of scholars and priests.
15. **Sharma:** This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word "Sharmā," meaning "learned," "wise," or "scholar." It is prevalent among the Brahmin caste, indicating a lineage of scholars and priests.
16. **Yadav:** This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word "Yadu," the name of a legendary ancestor of the Yadava clan. It is associated with the Kshatriya caste, traditionally known for their warrior and ruling classes.
17. **Malik:** This surname is derived from the Arabic word "Malik," meaning "king" or "owner." It is commonly found among the Muslim community and indicates a lineage of rulers or landowners.
18. **Khan:** This surname is derived from the Persian word "Khan," meaning "lord" or "ruler." It is associated with the Muslim community and indicates a lineage of rulers or landowners.
19. **Shah:** This surname is derived from the Persian word "Shah," meaning "king." It is commonly found among the Muslim community and indicates a lineage of rulers or landowners.
20. **Rai:** This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word "Raja," meaning "king." It is associated with the Kshatriya caste, traditionally known for their warrior and ruling classes.
21. **Das:** This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word "Das," meaning "servant" or "follower." It is commonly found among the Vaishya caste, historically known for their merchant and trading activities.
22. **Sahu:** This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word "Sahu," meaning "merchant" or "businessman." It is commonly found among the Vaishya caste, historically known for their merchant and trading activities.
23. **Jain:** This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word "Jain," meaning "conqueror" or "victor." It is associated with the Jain community, known for their peaceful and ethical practices.
24. **Bhatia:** This surname is derived from the Punjabi word "Bhatia," meaning "a resident of Bhatia." It is associated with the Khatri caste, known for their business and trading backgrounds.
25. **Chaudhary:** This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word "Chaudhary," meaning "chief" or "leader." It is commonly found among the Kshatriya caste, traditionally known for their warrior and ruling classes.
26. **Dubey:** This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word "Dubey," meaning "a wise man." It is commonly found among the Brahmin caste, indicating a lineage of scholars and priests.
27. **Dwivedi:** This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word "Dwivedi," meaning "one who knows two Vedas." It is associated with the Brahmin caste, indicating a lineage of scholars and priests.
28. **Agnihotri:** This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word "Agnihotri," meaning "one who performs Agnihotra." It is associated with the Brahmin caste, indicating a lineage of scholars and priests.
29. **Kapoor:** This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word "Kapoor," meaning "sandalwood." It is associated with the Vaishya caste, historically known for their merchant and trading activities.
30. **Chopra:** This surname is derived from the Punjabi word "Chopra," meaning "one who cuts or chops." It is associated with the Khatri caste, known for their business and trading backgrounds.
31. **Mathur:** This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word "Mathur," meaning "a place with many temples." It is commonly found among the Brahmin caste, indicating a lineage of scholars and priests.
32. **Bansal:** This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word "Bansal," meaning "a resident of Bans." It is associated with the Vaishya caste, historically known for their merchant and trading activities.
33. **Kaur:** This surname is derived from the Punjabi word "Kaur," meaning "princess" or "queen." It is predominantly associated with the Sikh community and symbolizes strength, courage, and nobility.
34. **Mehta:** This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word "Mehta," meaning "great" or "chief." It is commonly found among the Vaishya caste, historically known for their merchant and trading activities.
35. **Verma:** This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word "Varma," meaning "armor" or "protection." It is commonly found among the Kshatriya caste, traditionally known for their warrior and ruling classes.
36. **Singh:** This name is derived from the Sanskrit word "Simha," meaning "lion." It is predominantly associated with the Sikh community and symbolizes strength, courage, and nobility.
37. **Sharma:** This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word "Sharmā," meaning "learned," "wise," or "scholar." It is prevalent among the Brahmin caste, indicating a lineage of scholars and priests.
38. **Kumar:** A common surname, literally meaning "son" or "prince" in Sanskrit. It is often used as a suffix to the father's name, indicating their lineage.
39. **Patel:** This surname originates from the Gujarati word "Patel," signifying a village headman or chief. It is commonly found among the Patidar caste, known for their agricultural and entrepreneurial skills.
40. **Gupta:** This surname comes from the Sanskrit word "Gupta," meaning "secret" or "hidden." It is associated with the Vaishya caste, historically known for their merchant and trading activities.