Top 10 Common Indian Surnames & Their Spellings In 2025

India’s large cultural and linguistic diversity has given rise to a wide range of surnames, which in turn reflect regional heritage, caste identity, professional background, or religious affiliation. In 2025, we see these surnames, which are rooted in tradition, also adapt to global settings.

Top 10 most popular Indian surnames:

1. Patel’s.

Origin: Gujarat is also known as.

Common Spellings: Patel, Patil (of Maharashtra).

In the global community, ty which includes that of India’s, Patel is a well-known surname. What also plays a role is the large Gujarati community, which has gone abroad. In the past, it was a title which was given to village heads and landowners. Now, the spelling has remained for the most part the same, and the name is still very much at home in Gujarat and among NRIs.

2. Singh 

Origin: All India (mainly in North India).

Common Spellings: Singh’s.

From the Sanskrit word “Simha” (which means lion), Singh is put into common use by Rajputs and Sikhs. It is a symbol of courage and valor. In 2025, we see no change in its spelling, which only adds to its great cultural importance.

3. Sharma.

Origin: Northern India.

Common Spellings: Sharma, which also spells out Sharma.

A very common Brahmin surnam,e “Sharma,” is that of the learned and priestly class. Of Sanskritorigin,n it has preserved its original form over the years and is still very much in use among North Indian Brahmins.

4. Kumar

Origin: All India.

Common Spellings: Kumar, Kamar (uncommon).

Originally, which was used as a middle name or suffix, meaning “prince” or “young male,” Kas in time become a very common surname in the North and East of India. While we see variations in spelling like “Kumaar” out theree “Kumar” is the which is put forth and is accepted by the large majority in 2025.

5. Reddy

OriginAndhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Common Spellings: Reddy, Reddi (which is less common).

In the south of India, Reddy is a preeminent surname of a powerful and owning community. It is a marker for caste and regional identity. The spelling Reddy is what we see to be primary, with very little variation in its use even within the global context.

6. Iyer 

Origin: Tamil State.

Common Spellings: Iyer, Aiyer (outdated).

A Tamil Brahmin nname which is that of a Vedic scholar and temple priest, is Iyer. The use of the traditional spelling Aiyer has diminished by 202,5 and the modern accepted version is Iyer.

7. Das 

Origin: Bengal, Odisha, and Asswhich areares also known as West Bengal, Orissa, and Assam.

Common Spellings: Das, That (minor variation).

In some Eastern Indian communitiees “Das” is used, which means “servant” or “devotee”. It is a tthath, an  act that represents religious devotion to gods like Vishnu or Shiva. Also, “Das” and “Dass” are usedd which at large, although the former is more common in today’s reports.

8. Mehra.

Origin: Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Punjab are all sthe tates in that region. Note: The request was to only provide a paraphrased version of the input, which I have provided in a slightly different structure. Also, note, there may be better or more creative ways to paraphrase, which is beyond what I have done.

Common Spellings: Mehra.

In past times, Mehta was a title given to accountants and ministers in royal courts. Presently, the surname is very much in use in business communities. It has a consistent spelling, which makes it easy to recognize in Indian as well as international settings.

9. Chowdhury’s.

Origin: West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar.

Common Spellings: Chowdy, Chaudhry, Choudhry, Choudhury.

In India, there is a very variable spelling of a surname, which is “Chowdhury” that comes from a Persian title which means “holder of four”. Though of the same origin, spellings do vary by region and linguistic influence. In 2025, it is seen that all variants are in use, with “Chaudhary” and “Chowdhury” being the most common.

10. Nair

Origin: Kerala.

Common Spellings: Nair, Nayyar (which is a rare misidentification).

In Kerala’s caste system, we see the Nair, which is a warrior class. It is a respected surname in the state and among Keralites in foreign parts. The spelling of Nair has stayed the same, which is a representation of a distinct culture.

Final Thoughts

Indian surnames go beyond what they appear to be, which is that of identifiers; they are, in fact, a representation of the country’s very diverse cultural, social, and historical past. By 2025, while globalization and migration play a role in how they are pronounced and perceived, the spellings of most of the surnames will still, for the most part, stay true to their origin. Som,e like “Chowdhu,ry” have what may be considered to be variant spellings, while oth,ers like “Sharma” or “S,ingh” have retained the same form through the generations. Despite the variation we see in some of them, these surnames also stand to tell the story of the Indian social landscape for hundreds of years.