| 2 |
देवी |
Devi |
Surname based on the female Indian given name Devi. It derived from the Hindi, Sanskrit, and Assamese word devi (देवी) which means "goddess." When used in the Indian province of West Bengal, it can also refer to Goddess Durga who is the main deity of the region. |
69,206,900 |
| 3 |
सिंह |
Singh |
Indian surname based on a spelling variation of the surname Sinh, developed from a moniker. It derived from the Sanskrit word sinh (सिंह) meaning "lion" or "powerful and brave one." |
36,059,000 |
| 4 |
कुमार |
Kumar |
Surname based on a title or the male Indian given name Kumar. The name derived from the Sanskrit word kumar (कुमार) which means "young, unmarried boy" or "prince." |
31,014,300 |
| 5 |
दास |
Das |
Occupational surname derived from the Sanskrit and Hindi word das (दास) meaning "servant" or "devout follower." It is pronounced as dash ( দাশ)in Bengali. |
10,485,500 |
| 6 |
कौर |
Kaur |
Surname based on a title, occupational surname, or moniker. It derived from the Sanskrit noun Kumĝri which means "princess." The name was common among female followers of the Sikh religion. |
10,382,100 |
| 7 |
राम |
Ram |
Surname based on an affectionate moniker for someone charming, pleasant, and loving. It is also the name of one of the most important Hindu gods, Rama (राम). |
7,412,410 |
| 8 |
यादव |
Yadav |
Indian surname derived from the name of the mythological Hindu King Yadu who is thought to be the ancestor of the Hindu God Krishna. |
7,061,030 |
| 9 |
कुमारी |
Kumari |
Surname based on a title or the female Indian given name Kumari. The name derived from the Sanskrit word kumari (कुमार) which means "young, unmarried woman" or "princess." |
6,280,210 |
| 10 |
लाल |
Lal |
Surname based on the male given name Lal. It derived from the Hindi word laal (लाल) meaning "red," "a son," or "someone very dear." |
5,751,670 |
| 11 |
अली |
Ali |
Surname based on the male (direct) Quranic given name Ali which means "superb" or "lofty." |
5,796,790 |
| 12 |
बीबी |
Bibi |
Surname based on the female given name Bibi (and its variation Biwi). The name could have Persian origins but is also found in Hindi and Urdu. The literal translation of the word is "wife" although it can refer to a grandmother as well. |
5,669,410 |
| 13 |
खातून |
Khatun |
Surname based on a spelling variation of the surname Khatoon. It developed from a title, occupational surname, or moniker. It derived from the Persian noun khatun (خاتون ) meaning "empress" or "queen." |
5,510,720 |
| 14 |
शर्मा |
Sharma |
Surname based on the male Hindi given name Sharma. It derived from the Sanskrit word for "comfort" and "protection." |
4,887,180 |
| 15 |
बाई |
Bai |
Bai (白)is a surname of Chinese origin meaning "white" or "pure." It can also refer to the descendants of King Pin who came from the territory of Chu. Certain Chinese minorities from the Yunnan province have also used this surname as a reference to the name of their tribe. The English surname White can be considered a relative. |
5,401,650 |
| 16 |
साह |
Sah |
Surname based on the male Indian given name Sah. It derived from the Javanese and Indonesian word sah meaning "valid," "legal," or "legitimate." |
4,519,690 |
| 17 |
खान |
Khan |
Arabic surname derived from the originally Mongolian title meaning "king" or "ruler." The English surname King is a relative. |
4,442,330 |
| 18 |
मंडल |
Mandal |
Surname based on the male given name Mandal. It derived from the Sanskrit noun mandal (मण्डल) meaning "sphere," "zone," "circle," "confederation," or "halo." |
4,408,830 |
| 19 |
मंडल |
Mondal |
Surname based on a spelling variation of the male given name Mandal. It derived from the Sanskrit noun mandal (मण्डल) meaning "sphere," "zone," "circle," "confederation," or "halo." |
4,042,430 |
| 20 |
पटेल |
Patel |
Surname based on an occupational surname or status name. It derived from the Sanskrit noun pat meaning "land" and then used for the Gujarati word patlikh meaning "record keeper of the land." |
3,957,110 |
| 21 |
पाटिल |
Patil |
Surname based on a status name, title, or occupational surname. It derived from the Sanskrit, Maratha, and Kannada word patil (ಪಾಟೀಲ) meaning "headman" or "village chief." |
3,776,740 |
| 22 |
प्रसाद |
Prasad |
Surname based on the male Indian given name Prasad. It derived from the Hindi noun prasad (प्रसाद) meaning "an offering to god." |
3,720,490 |
| 23 |
रॉय |
Roy |
Surname based on the title Roy conferred by the British government on landowners called Zamindars in the Bengal province of then British India. |
3,435,700 |
| 24 |
रे |
Ray |
Anglicized version of the title Roy conferred by the British government on landowners called Zamindars in the Bengal province of then British India. |
3,323,460 |
| 25 |
शेख़ |
Sheikh |
Surname derived from the Arabic title or occupational surname for a scholar. It has also been used for an elder of a tribe. |
2,917,620 |
| 26 |
शेख |
Shaikh |
Surname derived from the Arabic title or occupational surname for a scholar. It has also been used for an elder of a tribe. |
2,874,000 |
| 27 |
साहू |
Sahu |
Indian surname based on an occupational surname derived from the Sanskrit word sahukar (साहूकार), meaning "moneylender." |
2,832,340 |
| 28 |
गुप्ता |
Gupta |
Indian surname based on an occupational surname meaning "protector or governor." This meaning derived from the Sanskrit word goptri. The name was common for members of the ruling class across India. |
2,730,990 |
| 29 |
पॉल |
Pal |
Surname based on an occupational surname derived from the Sanskrit word pala (पाल) meaning "guard," "protector," or "keeper." |
2,542,230 |
| 30 |
महतो |
Mahato |
While the exact meaning of this name is currently unknown, the name could have derived from a toponym referring to the native lands of the Kurmi Mahato tribe of the Indian province of Orissa or of a group called Madheshi of the Terai region of Nepal. |
2,530,950 |
| 31 |
बारमैन |
Barman |
Barman (and its variation Burman) is the Bengali and Assamese variant of the surname Varman (वर्मन्) meaning "a shield" in Sanskrit. This surname is used by the Kshatriya caste and when used in ancient times for kings meant "one whose kingdom touches the sky." |
2,500,430 |
| 32 |
बेगम |
Begam |
Begam (with its common variation Begum) is a name derived from Persian origins which literally means "the wife of a high official." These officials were known as baig, their wives and daughters would be named Begam or Begum. |
2,476,970 |
| 33 |
परमार |
Paramar |
Surname based on an occupational surname used by members of the Rajput caste. Its meaning "enemy attacker" derived from the combination of the Sanskrit words par (पर) meaning "alien" or "foreign" and maar (मार) meaning "killer" or "destroyer." |
2,368,580 |
| 34 |
अंसारी |
Ansari |
Arabic surname derived from the male (direct) Quranic given name Ansar which means "supporters" and "defenders." The word Ansari was used to refer to the supporters of Prophet Mohammad who helped in his movement from Mecca to Medina. When used as a surname, it can refer to people who trace their lineage to the followers of Prophet Mohammad. |
2,291,250 |
| 35 |
नायक |
Nayak |
Surname based on a title, status name, or moniker. It derived from the Sanskrit word nayak (नायक) which means "leader" or "hero" and has been used as a surname by various South Indian castes including the Kamma and Vaniyar. |
2,173,370 |
| 36 |
राठौड़ |
Rathod |
Surname probably based on a toponym referring to the native lands of the Rathore clan, one of the branches of the Rajput caste, a ruling caste in ancient India. |
2,140,780 |
| 37 |
जाधव |
Jadhav |
Indian surname based on the name of the mythological Hindu King Yadu who is thought to be the ancestor of the Hindu God Krishna. |
2,111,100 |
| 38 |
बेगम |
Begum |
Begum is a variation of the name Begam which derived from Persian origins and literally means "the wife of a high official." These officials were known as baig, their wives and daughters would be named Begam or Begum. |
2,108,680 |
| 39 |
घोष |
Ghosh |
Indian surname based on the occupational surname for a writer. It derived from the Bengali verb ghokhana which means "to write" or "to publish." It was used to refer to a group of scribes belonging to the Kayastha Caste of Bengal. |
2,102,800 |
| 40 |
रानी |
Rani |
Surname based on a on a moniker or on a title or status name for a queen. It derived from the Sanskrit word rani which means "queen." The English surnames Queen and McQueen can be considered relatives. |
2,076,680 |
| 41 |
महतो |
Mahto |
While the exact meaning of this name is currently unknown, the name could have derived from a toponym referring to the native lands of the Kurmi Mahato tribe of the Indian Orissa province or of a group called Madheshi of the Terai region in Nepal. |
2,065,400 |
| 42 |
सरकार |
Sarkar |
Indian surname based on an occupational surname or status name. It probably derived from the Persian word sarkaar (سرکار) which means "chief" or "headman." This meaning of the surname is also found in the western Bengal province of India. The name could have also developed from the Hindi word sarkar (सरकार) meaning "government." |
2,013,790 |
| 43 |
मुर्मू |
Murmu |
Exact meaning and origin of this surname are currently unknown. However, as a toponym, the name could have referred to the native lands of the Murmu clan members in the Indian Orissa province. |
1,999,890 |
| 44 |
चांद |
Chand |
Surname based on the male given name Chaand. It derived from the Hindi and Urdu word chaand which means "the shining moon." The name can also be part of a compound name, e.g. Harichand. |
1,969,070 |
| 45 |
बेहरा |
Behera |
Surname used by members of the Brahmin Caste in the Indian province of Orissa. The name could have derived from a toponym referring to the place Behera located in Orissa where the ancestors are believed to have originally lived. |
1,958,100 |
| 46 |
मिश्रा |
Mishra |
Surname based on an occupational surname for members of the Brahmin Caste in north, central, and east India. The name probably derived from the Hindi and Sanskrit word mishr (मिश्र) meaning "mixed." It could have also derived from the Sanskrit word mitra meaning "friend." |
1,806,530 |
| 47 |
माझी |
Majhi |
Surname based on a toponym or an occupational surname. It derived from the Hindi and Bengali word manjhi (মাঝি) which means "boatman" or "boatswain." Also name of a caste of Terai Region, Nepal. |
1,793,460 |
| 48 |
पाताल |
Patal |
Surname probably based on a variant spelling of the occupational surname or status name Patel. It derived from the Sanskrit noun pat meaning "land" and then used for the Gujarati word patlikh meaning "record keeper of the land." The Sanskrit word pataal (पाताल), on the other hand, means "underworld" or "hell." |
1,787,590 |
| 49 |
खातून |
Khatoon |
Surname based on a title, occupational surname, or moniker. It derived from the Persian noun khatun (خاتون ) meaning "empress" or "queen." |
1,747,670 |
| 50 |
ठाकोर |
Thakor |
Spelling variation of the Indian surname Thakur. It derived from the Hindi word thakur (ठाकुर) meaning "god" or "leader." |
1,662,150 |
| 51 |
अहमद |
Ahamad |
Surname derived from a spelling variation of the male (direct) Quranic given name Ahmad. The original meaning of the name is "more commendable." |
1,635,540 |
| 52 |
पासवान |
Paswan |
Surname based on an occupational surname for a Hindu caste in north India. It derived from the Persian word pasbaan (پاسبان) meaning "protector" or "guard." |
1,809,950 |
| 53 |
पवार |
Pawar |
Surname based on an occupational surname common in western India. Its meaning "enemy attacker" derived from the combination of the Sanskrit words par (पर) meaning "alien" or "foreign" and maar (मार) meaning "killer" or "destroyer." |
1,622,950 |
| 54 |
चौहान |
Chauhan |
Chauahan and its common spelling variation Chohan is a surname referring to a sub-caste within the Rajput Community, primarily Kshatriyas. The members of this ruling clan in many northern Indian provinces were believed to have been brave warriors. |
1,619,320 |
| 55 |
नाइक |
Naik |
Surname based on a title, status name, or moniker. It derived from the Sanskrit word nayak (नायक) which means "leader" or "hero" and has been used as a surname by various South Indian castes including the Kamma and Vaniyar. |
1,567,250 |
| 56 |
प्रधान |
Pradhan |
Surname based on a status name, title, or occupational surname. It derived from the Hindi word pradhan (प्रधान) meaning "the chief." The surname was also common among members of certain higher castes in north India. |
1,559,750 |
| 57 |
बानो |
Bano |
Surname based on them female given names Bano and Banu. These names are common in India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran; they derived from the Persian noun bânu meaning "bride," "little sister" or "princess." In India, Banno is another common variation; its meaning also being "bride." |
1,554,760 |
| 58 |
आलम |
Alam |
Arabic surname derived from the male and female (indirect) given name Aalam which means "world." The word alam also means "pain" in Urdu and is used as an ornament in poems. |
1,499,690 |
| 59 |
बौरी |
Bauri |
Surname used by a tribe in the Indian state of West Bengal. The name could have derived from the Bengali word bahir meaning "outside"; Bauri literally means "someone who lives outside." |
1,435,990 |
| 60 |
साहा |
Saha |
Surname probably based on the male Indian given name Saha which derived from the Sanskrit word sah (सह) meaning "enduring" or "resisting." The name could also be based on an occupational surname for a trader, especially in the Indian province of Bengal. It derived from the Sanskrit word sadhu meaning "merchant." |
1,408,250 |
| 61 |
शिंदे |
Shinde |
Surname based on a toponym referring to the Sind region in Pakistan. The name is also common among certain prominent royal families of the Indian province of Maharashtra. |
1,387,540 |
| 62 |
ठाकुर |
Thakur |
Indian surname derived from the Hindi word thakur (ठाकुर) meaning "god" or "leader." |
1,741,550 |
| 63 |
बिस्वास |
Biswas |
Surname from the Indian province of West Bengal. It derived from the Sanskrit word vishwas meaning "trust." The surname was bestowed upon people considered trustworthy during the Mughal and British regimes. |
1,721,700 |
| 64 |
उरांव |
Oraon |
Surname common among members of the Oraon (also called Kurukh) tribe of central and east India. While its exact meaning is currently not clear, it could have originated from the ancient Dravidian language word "Ur" meaning "chest." |
1,322,780 |
| 65 |
मुंडा |
Munda |
Surname based on an occupational surname or title. The name means "headman" and derived from the Sanskrit word mund (मुंड) meaning "head." The name was used to refer to members of the Munda ethnic group of central India. |
1,307,690 |
| 66 |
मलिक |
Malik |
Surname derived from the male Arabic (indirect) Quranic given name Maalik which means "owner." The name could have also derived from the Arabic noun malik |
1,286,490 |
| 67 |
राउत |
Raut |
Surname based on a toponym or occupational surname. It refers to members of the Raut caste in northern India who were traditionally involved in herding cows. |
1,218,740 |
| 68 |
नाथ |
Nath |
Surname derived from the Sanskrit word nātha (नाथ) which means "devotee" or "husband." |
1,189,860 |
| 69 |
शेख |
Shaik |
Surname derived from the Arabic title or occupational surname for a scholar. It has also been used for an elder of a tribe. |
1,149,420 |
| 70 |
पात्रा |
Patra |
Surname based on a status name, title, or occupational surname. It derived from the Assamese and Oriya word patra (পাত্ৰ) meaning "a minister of the royal court." |
1,129,950 |
| 71 |
चंद्रा |
Chandra |
Surname derived from either chandra (चन्द्र) meaning "Moon God" in Hindi or chandraa (चंद्रा) meaning "an open courtyard." The female version of the word is spelled the same but is pronounced as Chandraa (चंद्रा). |
1,109,020 |
| 72 |
चाहन |
Chahan |
Surname based on the male Indian given name Chahan. It derived from the Hindi word chahna (चाहना) which means "to desire" or "to want." |
1,078,170 |
| 73 |
टुडू |
Tudu |
Surname probably based on a title or toponym referring to the Tudu clan of the Santhal tribe in India. |
1,077,960 |
| 74 |
शाह |
Shah |
Surname derived from the Persian surname Shah meaning "king" or "emperor." The English surname King is a relative. |
1,044,320 |
| 75 |
झा |
Jha |
Indian surname probably based on an occupational surname for an instructor, scholar, or teacher. It derived from the Sanskrit noun upadhyaya which means "teacher" and was common for members of the Brahmin caste in northern India. |
1,018,840 |
| 76 |
वसाव |
Vasav |
Surname derived from the Sanskrit noun vasava (वासव) which is another name for the Hindu god of thunder and rain, Indra. |
1,009,400 |
| 77 |
चौधरी |
Chaudhari |
Surname based on the male Bengali given names Chaudhari, Choudhry, or Choudhury (চৌধুরী) or a title. The name means "holder of Four" across Hindi, Urdu, and numerous other languages of the region. |
1,002,760 |
| 78 |
मांझी |
Manjhi |
Surname based on a toponym or an occupational surname. It derived from the Hindi and Bengali word manjhi (মাঝি) which means "boatman" or "boatswain." Also name of a caste of Terai Region, Nepal. This name was common among the Majhawar and Musahar castes in the Indian provinces of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. |
992,318 |
| 79 |
जैन |
Jain |
Indian surname referring to the followers of the religion of Jainism. The name and derived from the Sanskrit word jina meaning "to conquer." |
976,003 |
| 80 |
मुहम्मद |
Mohammed |
Arabic surname derived from the male (direct) Quranic given name Muhammad which means "praiseworthy." It is the name of Islam's prophet. |
969,314 |
| 81 |
कांबले |
Kamble |
While the exact meaning and origin of this surname are currently unknown, it has been common for members of the Buddhist community and certain Brahmin caste members in the Maharashtra province of India. |
967,072 |
| 82 |
सोरेन |
Soren |
The exact meaning and origin of this surname are currently unknown. The name is common for members of the Soren clan, one of the twelve clans of the Santhal tribe of India. |
958,056 |
| 83 |
पंडित |
Pandit |
Indian surname based on an occupational surname used by the Brahmin caste. It derived from the Sanskrit word pandita (पण्डित) meaning "scholar" or "expert." |
949,854 |
| 84 |
राई |
Rai |
Hindu surname based on the Sanskrit noun raja meaning "king." The English surname King is a relative. Raj is also a Hindi verb meaning "to rule." |
930,766 |
| 85 |
इसलाम |
Islam |
Arabic surname derived from the male (direct) Quranic given name Islam. It means "submission" and "self-surrender" and refers to the religion followed by Muslims. |
915,923 |
| 86 |
राना |
Rana |
Surname with a variety of possible origins and meanings. It may be based on the female Arabic given name Rana which means "beautiful" and "gorgeous." It could also be based on a moniker for a pompous person or on a title or status name for Indian rulers as the male version of the Sanskrit word rani which means "queen." This would make the Indian surname Rana the equivalent of the English surname King. |
911,096 |
| 87 |
सोलंकी |
Solanki |
The exact meaning and origin of this surname are currently unknown. The name is common for members of the Solanki clan of the Rajput caste of India. |
902,972 |
| 88 |
प्रकाश |
Prakash |
Surname based on an affectionate moniker or an ornamental surname. It derived from the Sanskrit word parkasa (प्रकाश्) meaning "to illuminate" or "light." |
1,057,910 |
| 89 |
पांडे |
Pandey |
Indian surname based on a variant of the occupational surname Pandit used by the Brahmin caste. It derived from the Sanskrit word pandita (पण्डित) meaning "scholar" or "expert." |
934,495 |
| 90 |
चौधरी |
Chaudhary |
Surname based on the male Bengali given names Chaudhari, Choudhry, or Choudhury (চৌধুরী) or a title. The name means "holder of Four" across Hindi, Urdu, and numerous other languages of the region. |
943,539 |
| 91 |
राज |
Raj |
Hindu surname based on the Sanskrit noun raja meaning "king." The English surname King is a relative. Raj is also a Hindi verb meaning "to rule." |
1,023,030 |
| 92 |
सिंह |
Sinh |
Indian surname based on a moniker. It derived from the Sanskrit word sinh (सिंह) meaning "lion" or "powerful and brave one." |
1,028,480 |
| 93 |
सरदार |
Sardar |
Surname based on the male given name Sardar. It derived from the Persian word sardaar (سردار ) meaning "commander" or "chief" and therefore could have been used as a title or status name. The name Sardar could have also derived from a Sikh title. |
1,187,700 |
| 94 |
पठान |
Pathan |
While exact meaning and origin of this surname are currently unclear, it may have derived from the Persian toponym paktye meaning "people of the frontier" or from the Persian word pusht (back), ultimately meaning "people living on the back of mountains." This surname was especially common among people in Afghanistan and Khyber pass. |
897,494 |
| 95 |
हुसैन |
Hussain |
Surname derived from the male Arabic (indirect) Quranic given name Hussein which is a synonym of the name Hasan and means "beautiful" and "virtuous." |
890,303 |
| 96 |
मकवान |
Makavan |
Surname derived from the Thai noun mák-waan (มัฆวาน) referring to Indra, the Hindu God of rain and thunderstorm. |
880,833 |
| 97 |
गायकवाड़ |
Gayakwad |
Indian surname adopted by a ruling clan of ancient Western India and also pronounced Gaikwad. The name derived from the Marathi word gāyǎkǎvāḍǎ गायकवाड; its meaning is currently unknown. |
839,757 |
| 98 |
हंसदा |
Hansda |
Surname probably based on an affectionate moniker or ornamental name. It derived from the Sanskrit noun hans meaning "swan." The surname was particularly common among members of the Munda tribe in India. |
803,351 |
| 99 |
उद्दीन |
Uddin |
Surname based on a variation of the combination of the direct Arabic article al meaning "the" and the Arabic word for "faith" (din), meaning "of the faith." |
797,217 |
| 100 |
मोरे |
More |
English surname probably based on a spelling variant of a toponym referring to a moor or fen. It could have also derived from a moniker for someone of dark complexion or from an old male French given name based on the Roman name Maurus (dark skinned). |
783,187 |
| 101 |
जेना |
Jena |
Indian surname based on the female (direct) Quranic given name Jannah (جنّة ). The name derived from the Arabic word for "garden" or "paradise." |
893,719 |
India