Last Names for Indian: A Comprehensive Guide

Choosing the perfect last name for your child is an important decision, especially for Indian families. With a rich history and diverse culture, India boasts a vast array of surnames that reflect heritage, lineage, and even personal qualities. This comprehensive list explores some of the most common and unique Indian last names, providing insights into their meanings and origins. Whether you're searching for a traditional name, a modern twist, or something truly unique, this guide will help you find the perfect fit.
1. **Agarwal:** Meaning "seller of agarwood" (a fragrant wood used in incense), a common name associated with the Vaishya caste.
2. **Ahuja:** Of Punjabi origin, meaning "one who possesses" or "owner."
3. **Aiyengar:** A prominent South Indian Brahmin surname, meaning "respected teacher" or "learned scholar."
4. **Anand:** Derived from Sanskrit, meaning "joy" or "bliss."
5. **Bajaj:** A prominent Punjabi surname, meaning "seller of bajra" (a type of millet).
6. **Bhatia:** A prominent Sindhi surname, meaning "one who comes from Bhatia" (a region in Sindh).
7. **Chopra:** A common Punjabi surname, meaning "one who works with a chopper" or "woodcutter."
8. **Das:** Derived from Sanskrit, meaning "servant" or "follower," often used as a title for devotees of Vishnu.
9. **De:** A common Bengali surname, meaning "of the gods" or "divine."
10. **Dubey:** A prominent Brahmin surname, meaning "one who carries a stick" or "warrior."
11. **Garg:** A prominent Vaishya surname, meaning "one who chants hymns."
12. **Gupta:** Derived from Sanskrit, meaning "secret" or "hidden," often associated with ancient scribes and keepers of knowledge.
13. **Jain:** A surname associated with Jainism, meaning "one who conquers" or "victorious."
14. **Joshi:** A prominent Brahmin surname, meaning "one who chants" or "priest."
15. **Kapoor:** A common Punjabi surname, meaning "one who works with kapoor" (camphor).
16. **Khanna:** A prominent Punjabi surname, meaning "one who comes from Khanna" (a region in Punjab).
17. **Kumar:** Derived from Sanskrit, meaning "prince" or "young man."
18. **Lal:** Derived from Sanskrit, meaning "red" or "ruby," often used as a title for someone who is revered.
19. **Mehta:** A prominent Vaishya surname, meaning "great" or "eminent."
20. **Menon:** A prominent South Indian Brahmin surname, meaning "one who is skilled in warfare."
21. **Mishra:** A prominent Brahmin surname, meaning "mixed" or "combined."
22. **Mukherjee:** A prominent Bengali surname, meaning "son of Mukherji" (a legendary figure).
23. **Naidu:** A prominent South Indian surname, meaning "leader" or "chieftain."
24. **Patel:** A common surname in Gujarat, meaning "village headman" or "leader."
25. **Pandey:** A prominent Brahmin surname, meaning "one who reads" or "scholar."
26. **Purohit:** A Brahmin surname, meaning "priest" or "religious officiant."
27. **Rao:** A prominent South Indian surname, meaning "king" or "chieftain."
28. **Roy:** A prominent Bengali surname, meaning "king" or "ruler."
29. **Saha:** A prominent Bengali surname, meaning "helper" or "companion."
30. **Sharma:** A prominent Brahmin surname, meaning "one who is learned" or "scholar."
31. **Singh:** Derived from Sanskrit, meaning "lion," often used as a title for warriors.
32. **Sood:** A prominent Punjabi surname, meaning "one who is good" or "virtuous."
33. **Srivastava:** A prominent Vaishya surname, meaning "one who is respected" or "honored."
34. **Thakur:** A prominent Rajput surname, meaning "lord" or "master."
35. **Tripathi:** A prominent Brahmin surname, meaning "one who crosses" or "traveler."
36. **Verma:** A prominent Brahmin surname, meaning "great" or "eminent."
37. **Waghmare:** A prominent Maratha surname, meaning "one who is strong" or "powerful."
38. **Yadav:** A prominent OBC (Other Backward Class) surname, meaning "descendant of Yadu" (a legendary king).
39. **Zaveri:** A prominent Gujarati surname, meaning "one who is wealthy" or "prosperous."
40. **Zakaria:** An Arabic surname, meaning "God has remembered."
41. **Ahire:** A prominent Maratha surname, meaning "one who is skilled in farming."
42. **Bhardwaj:** A prominent Brahmin surname, meaning "one who chants hymns."
43. **Choudhary:** A prominent Rajput surname, meaning "headman" or "leader."
44. **Desai:** A prominent Gujarati surname, meaning "one who is a servant."
45. **Ghosh:** A prominent Bengali surname, meaning "one who is a horse."
46. **Khatri:** A prominent Punjabi surname, meaning "one who is a warrior."
47. **Kulkarni:** A prominent Marathi surname, meaning "one who is a keeper of records."
48. **Maurya:** A prominent Kshatriya surname, meaning "one who is a descendant of the Maurya dynasty."
49. **Parmar:** A prominent Rajput surname, meaning "one who is a protector."
50. **Sarkar:** A prominent Bengali surname, meaning "one who is a ruler."