25+ Indian Last Names That Will Make You Wanna Visit The Taj Mahal

Last names create a connection between a family’s present and their past. Indian last names have made their way around the globe. As rich as the culture they come from, these names reflect an ancestor’s occupation, place of residence or personality.

Not all Indian last names have definitive meanings, and each name isn’t reduced to one particular origin. Because of India’s diverse history and population, origins of last names can depend on religions, castes, areas, or languages and scripts.

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We’ve compiled this list of Indian last names and their meanings. We’ve also included any relevant religious, caste or regional ties so if your name is here, you’ll have a clearer idea of its origins. Take a look and see!

1. Singh

Religion: Hindu Caste: Kshatriya Meaning: Hero.

1. Gandhi

Language: Gujarati Caste: Bania Meaning: Perfume seller, pharmacist, or grocer.

1. Babu

Religion: Hindu Language: Prakrit, Sanskrit Meaning: Father.

1. Kaur

Religion: Hindu Region: Punjab Meaning: Crown prince.

1. Varadkar

Region: Gujarat Religion: Hindu Meaning: Of the village Varad.

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1. Mehta

Region: Rajasthan Language: Gujarati Meaning: Teacher or accountant.

1. Kumar

Region: Gujarat Language: Hindi Meaning: Young boy or young man.

1. Dhar

Caste: Kayasth Language: Bengali Meaning: Credit.

1. Patel

Region: Gujarat Religion: Hindu Meaning: Village chief or head.

1. Bhatt

Language: Hindi, Urdu Caste: Brahmin Meaning: The learned one.

1. Surve

Region: Maharashtra Caste: Maratha Meaning: Sun.

1. Tiwari

Caste: Brahmin Religion: Hindu Meaning: Versed in three vedas.

1. Kapoor

Religion: Sikh Caste: Khatri Meaning: Camphor.

1. Banerjee

Caste: Brahmin Language: Bengali Meaning: Teacher from the village of Bandoghat.

1. Varma

Caste: Kshatriya Language: Sanskrit Meaning: Armor.

1. Dayal

Religion: Hindu Language: Sanskrit Meaning: Kind or compassionate.

1. Anand

Religion: Hindu Language: Sanskrit Meaning: Joy.

1. Dhawan

Religion: Hindu Caste: Khatri Meaning: Runner or messenger.

1. Puri

Caste: Khatri Language: Punjabi Meaning: Small town.

1. Mangal

Language: Sanskrit Religion: Hindu Meaning: Auspicious.

1. Kulkarni

Caste: Brahmin Language: Marathi Meaning: Family archivist.

1. Bhasin

Religion: Sikh Caste: Khatri Meaning: Sun.

1. Jha

Caste: Brahmin Language: Sanskrit Meaning: Teacher.

1. Chakrabarti

Religion: Hindu Language: Sanskrit, Bengali Meaning: Emperor.

1. Sunder

Religion: Hindu Language: Sanskrit Meaning: Beautiful.

1. Maharaj

Religion: Hindu Language: Sanskrit Meaning: Great king.

1. Krishna

Religion: Hindu Language: Sanskrit Meaning: Black.