150 Popular Indian Last Names: Common Indian Surnames

By TheParentZ Expert|3 - 4 mins read| March 09, 2025

We have written thir article on Indian Surnames or Indian Last Names, based on the request of our users and to address questions like What are some of the most common Indian last names? or What are most Popular Indian Last Names or What are most common Indian Surnames?In this article we will

Article is for information and no way aims at hurting any individual or community. Similar to last names in any other country, Indian last names or Surnames are derived from religion, occupation, region, and caste. In some cases parents also use the surname or Last name of their grandfather or grandmother’s name babynames. Some people also ask How to identify caste of person by surname in India? You can also use below list of Popular Indian Last Names or Indian Surnames to guess the region of origin.

Indian last names, or surnames, are an interesting part of the country's culture and history. They often tell us about a person's background, including their religion, occupation, and region. This article will explore some common Indian surnames and what they mean.

Understanding Indian Last Names

In India, surnames often reveal a person's caste, profession, or geographic roots. For instance, names like Patel and Gupta are prevalent among certain communities. The surname Patel means "village headman" and is predominantly found in Gujarat, while “ Gupta translates to “guardian “ or "protector".

Many surnames also derive from professions. The name Sharma, meaning "joy" or "comfort," or “happiness” is typically linked to Brahmins, who were traditionally scholars and priests.

Regional influences play a significant role in surname selection as well. For example, Reddy is a common surname in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and it is associated with feudal overlords and peasant proprietors. In contrast, Banerjee, a popular Bengali surname, combines the name of a village with a term for teacher, showcasing the region's educational heritage.

Understanding these surnames can also provide insights into caste identification. Names like Singh, which means "lion," are often used by Kshatriyas (warriors), while Kaur, meaning "princess," is commonly adopted by Sikh women. This connection between surnames and caste highlights the social structure that has historically existed in India.

Some surnames carry historical significance as well. For instance, Rajput denotes "sons of kings," reflecting a lineage of warriors and rulers. On the other hand, names like Agarwal trace back to the ancient city of Agroha, indicating a mercantile background. The surname Agarwal comes from the words Agroha and the suffix -wal.

In this article, we will look at 150 popular Indian last names and answer questions like: What are some common Indian surnames?

Popular Indian Last Names or Most Common Indian Surnames

  1. Kumar
  2. Lal
  3. Sharma
  4. Shan
  5. Jai
  6. Pal
  7. Aggarwal
  8. Raje
  9. Chande
  10. Chander
  11. Nara
  12. Rai
  13. Nath
  14. Goel
  15. Bhat
  16. Raji
  17. Anand
  18. Suri
  19. Kapoor
  20. Chandra
  21. Patel  : Patel has emerged as the most common Indian surname in the UK
  22. Verma
  23. Malhotra
  24. Sai
  25. Engineer
  26. Arun
  27. Madan
  28. Srini
  29. Prasad
  30. Sara
  31. Rana
  32. Raman
  33. Subram
  34. Mehta
  35. Subramani
  36. Sethi
  37. Vijaya
  38. Malik
  39. Narayan
  40. Mittal
  41. Nita
  42. Kishore
  43. Roy
  44. Chaudhary
  45. Charan
  46. Nigam
  47. Sen
  48. Subramanian
  49. Nirmal
  50. Pawan
  51. Manohar
  52. Sahni
  53. Lalit
  54. Rajan
  55. Sehgal
  56. Uddin
  57. Saini
  58. Neel
  59. Jana
  60. Darsha
  61. Ranga
  62. Vish
  63. Mehra
  64. Puri
  65. Muthu
  66. Gandhi
  67. Lata
  68. Chauhan
  69. Saxena
  70. Swami
  71. Neela
  72. Chandrasekar
  73. Soni
  74. Dhawan
  75. Nagpal
  76. Joshi
  77. Krishnamurthy
  78. Persaud
  79. Punj
  80. Veena
  81. Mahajan
  82. Manju
  83. Dutta
  84. Sandeep
  85. Narang
  86. Naran
  87. Veer
  88. Tyagi
  89. Samuel
  90. Srivastava
  91. Sudha
  92. Srivas
  93. Mati
  94. Neelam
  95. Rastogi
  96. Bhatt
  97. Rajagopal
  98. Srivastav
  99. Ganesh
  100. Jindal
  101. Chakrabarti : derives from Sanskrit ’Cakravarti’, meaning a ruler whose chariot wheels roll everywhere without obstruction.
  102. Meena

Indian surnames are more than just names; they carry stories of ancestry, culture, and identity. By understanding these names, we gain insight into the diverse heritage of India. Whether you are looking to learn about your own surname or simply curious about others, exploring Indian last names offers a fascinating glimpse into the country's rich history.


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