Bharatpedia - User contributions [en]

Sinha

2026-06-26T07:48:51Z

2400:1A00:1B67:718A:2114:B135:199D:E6F1:

{{short description|Family name in the Indian subcontinent}}
{{For|the list of people with surnames of "Sinha"|Sinha (surname)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}

'''Sinha''' is a Sanskrit term which originates in the [[Indian subcontinent]] and is common in [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Bangladesh]] and [[Pakistan]], covering [[South Asia]]. It comes from a [[Sanskrit]] word meaning "[[Asiatic lion|lion]]" or "brave person".''' sinha''' surname is used by [[kushwaha]]([[koeri]]) community in Nepal.<ref>{{cite book|title=Twenty-six Ways of Looking at a BlackBerry: How to Let Writing Release the Creativity of Your Brand|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8f66aoAfcQQC|author=John Simmons|publisher=A&C Black|page=173|accessdate=1 April 2009|isbn = 9781408105962|date = 1 April 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Ceylon's Foreign Policy Under the Bandaranaikes (1956-65): A Political Analysis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IesBAAAAMAAJ|author=Dhirendra Mohan Prasad|publisher=S. Chand|year=1973|page=217}}</ref>

==Usage==

===<span lang="ml" dir="ltr">Indian</span> subcontinent===
In India, Sinha is used as a surname by the [[Bengali Kayastha]]s (also spelt ''Singha'') and the Ambastha [[Kayastha]]s of [[Bihar]].<ref>{{cite book|title=India International Centre Quarterly|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p3pDAAAAYAAJ|publisher=India International Centre|year=2001|page=210|quote=In spite of the ubiquitous presence of the surname Singh/Sinha which itself is associated with a lion symbolic of power and status, we have a whole range of surnames particularly in Kashmir, Gujarat, Maharashtra}}</ref><ref name="Kumar">{{cite book | first=Ashwani |last=Kumar | year =2008|title=Community Warriors: State, Peasants and Caste Armies in Bihar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=num2I4NFGqIC&pg=PA195|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-1-84331-709-8|page=195}}</ref><ref name="Inden">{{cite book | first=Ronald B. |last=Inden | year =1976|title=Marriage and Rank in Bengali Culture: A History of Caste and Clan in Middle Period Bengal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P8b9A7J_v-UC&pg=PA40|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-52002-569-1|page=40}}</ref>

In Sri Lanka, the term 'Sinha' (or Siha / Sinhe / Singhe / Singha / Singho) have commonly been used by the [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] (or [[Sinhalese people|Sinhala]]). When it comes to the term 'Sinhala' itself, the first part of the word, 'Sinha' stands for [[lion]] while 'la' or 'le' stands for [[blood]], giving the meaning 'Lion's blood'.<ref>{{cite book|title=Spirit Versus Scalpel: Traditional Healing and Modern Psychotherapy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=khm6A1Z2Ln8C|author1=Leonore Loeb Adler|author2=B. Runi Mukherji|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=1995|page=96|isbn = 9780897894067}}</ref>
The word Simhmam (or Singam / Singham / Singhai / Singai) is the [[Sri Lankan Tamil]] derivative. In northeast India, Sinha's held high positions as advisors during the times of the Mughal Empire. In northern and middle part of India as well as southern India Sinhraj/Sinharaj/Sinharaja or Rajasinha is also used, having the meaning Lion/Leo king.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Cyclopædia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia: Commercial, Industrial and Scientific, Products of the Mineral, Vegetable, and Animal Kingdoms, Useful Arts and Manufactures|url=https://archive.org/details/cyclopindiaeast03balfuoft|author=Edward Balfour|publisher=B. Quaritch|year=1885|page=[https://archive.org/details/cyclopindiaeast03balfuoft/page/659 659]–660}}</ref>

The more common surname [[Singh]] in India has the same root. [[Jayasinghe]] and other surnames like 'Wijesinghe', 'Weerasingha', 'Edirisinghe', 'Singaiariyan' in Sri Lanka may also share this root.

===Brazil===
Sinha is also an unrelated name found in [[Brazil]]. Sinha moca is a Brazilian colloquialism that may be translated "miss" or "missy".<ref>{{cite book|title=Iaiá Garcia|author=Machado de Assis|publisher=University Press of Kentucky}}</ref>
==Notable persons with the surname Sinha==
* [[Tapan Sinha]], Indian film director, who worked both in [[Cinema of West Bengal|Bengali]] and [[Hindi cinema]]
* [[Manoj Sinha]], 2nd Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir
* [[Mala Sinha]], Indian film actress
* [[Kaliprasanna Sinha]], Bengali language author, playwright, and philanthropist
* [[Bikash Sinha]], Indian scientist
* [[Lord Satyendra Prasanna Sinha]], first Governor of Bihar and Orissa, first Indian Advocate-General of Bengal, first Indian to become a member of the Viceroy's executive Council and the first Indian to become a member of the British ministry
* [[Paul Sinha]], British quiz player and comedian
* [[Vidya Sinha]], Indian film actress
* [[Shatrughan Sinha]], Indian film actor and politician
* [[Sonakshi Sinha]], Indian film actress
* [[Shumona Sinha]], Indian writer
* [[Surajit Chandra Sinha]], Indian anthropologist
* [[Anubhav Sinha]], Indian film director
* [[Anugrah Narayan Sinha]], [[Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar]]
* [[P. B. Illangasinghe]], Sri Lankan notary public, wrote the initial version of [[Sri Lanka Matha|Sri Lankan national anthem]]
* [[Susanthika Jayasinghe]], Sri Lankan athlete who won the Olympic silver medal for the 200m event
* [[Martin Wickramasinghe]], Sri Lankan novelist who authored the greatest Sinhalese novel [[Viragaya]].''[[Viragaya]]''
* [[Ranil Wickremesinghe]], Sri Lankan politician, prime minister of Sri Lanka four times

==Places named after Sinha==
* [[Sri Lanka|Sinhalaya]], name of the Kingdom of [[Sri Lanka]] before the invasion period in 1505 and after the independence from 1948 to 1950s
* [[Sigiriya]], fortress in Sri Lanka; its short name derives from 'Sinha Giriya' meaning "The rocky place of lions"
* [[Singapore]], named from 'Singa Pura' / 'Sinha Pure' which means Lion City in Sanskrit, before 1819

==See also==
* [[Singh]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Surnames]]
[[Category:Indian surnames]]

Sinha

2026-06-26T07:47:48Z

2400:1A00:1B67:718A:2114:B135:199D:E6F1:

{{short description|Family name in the Indian subcontinent}}
{{For|the list of people with surnames of "Sinha"|Sinha (surname)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}

'''Sinha''' is a Sanskrit term which originates in the [[Indian subcontinent]] and is common in [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Bangladesh]] and [[Pakistan]], covering [[South Asia]]. It comes from a [[Sanskrit]] word meaning "[[Asiatic lion|lion]]" or "brave person".sinha surname is used by [[kushwaha]]([[koeri]])community in Nepal.<ref>{{cite book|title=Twenty-six Ways of Looking at a BlackBerry: How to Let Writing Release the Creativity of Your Brand|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8f66aoAfcQQC|author=John Simmons|publisher=A&C Black|page=173|accessdate=1 April 2009|isbn = 9781408105962|date = 1 April 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Ceylon's Foreign Policy Under the Bandaranaikes (1956-65): A Political Analysis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IesBAAAAMAAJ|author=Dhirendra Mohan Prasad|publisher=S. Chand|year=1973|page=217}}</ref>

==Usage==

===<span lang="ml" dir="ltr">Indian</span> subcontinent===
In India, Sinha is used as a surname by the [[Bengali Kayastha]]s (also spelt ''Singha'') and the Ambastha [[Kayastha]]s of [[Bihar]].<ref>{{cite book|title=India International Centre Quarterly|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p3pDAAAAYAAJ|publisher=India International Centre|year=2001|page=210|quote=In spite of the ubiquitous presence of the surname Singh/Sinha which itself is associated with a lion symbolic of power and status, we have a whole range of surnames particularly in Kashmir, Gujarat, Maharashtra}}</ref><ref name="Kumar">{{cite book | first=Ashwani |last=Kumar | year =2008|title=Community Warriors: State, Peasants and Caste Armies in Bihar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=num2I4NFGqIC&pg=PA195|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-1-84331-709-8|page=195}}</ref><ref name="Inden">{{cite book | first=Ronald B. |last=Inden | year =1976|title=Marriage and Rank in Bengali Culture: A History of Caste and Clan in Middle Period Bengal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P8b9A7J_v-UC&pg=PA40|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-52002-569-1|page=40}}</ref>

In Sri Lanka, the term 'Sinha' (or Siha / Sinhe / Singhe / Singha / Singho) have commonly been used by the [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] (or [[Sinhalese people|Sinhala]]). When it comes to the term 'Sinhala' itself, the first part of the word, 'Sinha' stands for [[lion]] while 'la' or 'le' stands for [[blood]], giving the meaning 'Lion's blood'.<ref>{{cite book|title=Spirit Versus Scalpel: Traditional Healing and Modern Psychotherapy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=khm6A1Z2Ln8C|author1=Leonore Loeb Adler|author2=B. Runi Mukherji|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=1995|page=96|isbn = 9780897894067}}</ref>
The word Simhmam (or Singam / Singham / Singhai / Singai) is the [[Sri Lankan Tamil]] derivative. In northeast India, Sinha's held high positions as advisors during the times of the Mughal Empire. In northern and middle part of India as well as southern India Sinhraj/Sinharaj/Sinharaja or Rajasinha is also used, having the meaning Lion/Leo king.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Cyclopædia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia: Commercial, Industrial and Scientific, Products of the Mineral, Vegetable, and Animal Kingdoms, Useful Arts and Manufactures|url=https://archive.org/details/cyclopindiaeast03balfuoft|author=Edward Balfour|publisher=B. Quaritch|year=1885|page=[https://archive.org/details/cyclopindiaeast03balfuoft/page/659 659]–660}}</ref>

The more common surname [[Singh]] in India has the same root. [[Jayasinghe]] and other surnames like 'Wijesinghe', 'Weerasingha', 'Edirisinghe', 'Singaiariyan' in Sri Lanka may also share this root.

===Brazil===
Sinha is also an unrelated name found in [[Brazil]]. Sinha moca is a Brazilian colloquialism that may be translated "miss" or "missy".<ref>{{cite book|title=Iaiá Garcia|author=Machado de Assis|publisher=University Press of Kentucky}}</ref>
==Notable persons with the surname Sinha==
* [[Tapan Sinha]], Indian film director, who worked both in [[Cinema of West Bengal|Bengali]] and [[Hindi cinema]]
* [[Manoj Sinha]], 2nd Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir
* [[Mala Sinha]], Indian film actress
* [[Kaliprasanna Sinha]], Bengali language author, playwright, and philanthropist
* [[Bikash Sinha]], Indian scientist
* [[Lord Satyendra Prasanna Sinha]], first Governor of Bihar and Orissa, first Indian Advocate-General of Bengal, first Indian to become a member of the Viceroy's executive Council and the first Indian to become a member of the British ministry
* [[Paul Sinha]], British quiz player and comedian
* [[Vidya Sinha]], Indian film actress
* [[Shatrughan Sinha]], Indian film actor and politician
* [[Sonakshi Sinha]], Indian film actress
* [[Shumona Sinha]], Indian writer
* [[Surajit Chandra Sinha]], Indian anthropologist
* [[Anubhav Sinha]], Indian film director
* [[Anugrah Narayan Sinha]], [[Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar]]
* [[P. B. Illangasinghe]], Sri Lankan notary public, wrote the initial version of [[Sri Lanka Matha|Sri Lankan national anthem]]
* [[Susanthika Jayasinghe]], Sri Lankan athlete who won the Olympic silver medal for the 200m event
* [[Martin Wickramasinghe]], Sri Lankan novelist who authored the greatest Sinhalese novel [[Viragaya]].''[[Viragaya]]''
* [[Ranil Wickremesinghe]], Sri Lankan politician, prime minister of Sri Lanka four times

==Places named after Sinha==
* [[Sri Lanka|Sinhalaya]], name of the Kingdom of [[Sri Lanka]] before the invasion period in 1505 and after the independence from 1948 to 1950s
* [[Sigiriya]], fortress in Sri Lanka; its short name derives from 'Sinha Giriya' meaning "The rocky place of lions"
* [[Singapore]], named from 'Singa Pura' / 'Sinha Pure' which means Lion City in Sanskrit, before 1819

==See also==
* [[Singh]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Surnames]]
[[Category:Indian surnames]]

Mehta

2026-06-26T07:35:45Z

2400:1A00:1B67:718A:2114:B135:199D:E6F1:

{{For|the village in Madhya Pradesh, India|Mehta (village)}}
'''Mehta''' ({{ipa|hi|meːɦt̪aː|ipa}}) is an [[Indian surname]], derived from the [[Sanskrit]] word ''mahita'' meaning 'great' or 'praised'. It is found among several Indian religious groups, including [[Hindus]], [[Jains]], [[Parsis]], and [[Sikhs]]. Among Hindus, it is used by a wide range of castes and social groups, including [[kushwaha]]/[[Koeri]], [[Rajput]]s, [[Brahmin]]s ([[Mohyal Brahmin]]) , Tyagi and [[Bania (caste)|Bania]].<ref name=Oxford>{{Cite book | url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780195081374.001.0001/acref-9780195081374-e-41805?rskey=86GkPQ&result=44 | title=Dictionary of American Family Names | publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] | isbn=0-19-508137-4}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date=January 2026}}

==As surname used by Kushwaha (Koeri)==

Mehta is also used as a surname by some families belonging to the [[Kushwaha]]([[Koeri]]) community in the Indian state of [[Bihar]] and the [[Madhesh Province|Madhesh]] and (Terai) region of [[Nepal]]. Historically, the title "Mehta" was associated in some localities with village administration, revenue collection, and positions of responsibility. Over time, it became a hereditary surname among certain Kushwaha (Koiri) families.

People bearing the Mehta surname among the Kushwaha (Koiri) community are found primarily in the districts of [[East Champaran]], [[West Champaran]], [[Muzaffarpur]], [[Sitamarhi]], [[Madhubani]], [[Darbhanga]], [[Samastipur]], [[Vaishali district|Vaishali]], and adjoining areas of Bihar, as well as in the Terai districts of Nepal including [[Parsa District|Parsa]], [[Bara District|Bara]], [[Rautahat District|Rautahat]], [[Sarlahi District|Sarlahi]], [[Mahottari District|Mahottari]], [[Dhanusha District|Dhanusha]], [[Siraha District|Siraha]], [[Saptari District|Saptari]],[[Sunsari District|Sunsari]] and [[Morang District|Morang]]. Members of these families have traditionally been engaged in agriculture, landownership(zamindar), trade, public service, education, and business.They are an influential and well-organized powerful caste compared to other castes. They are very hardworking. The Kushwaha community belongs to the Vaishya class of the Madhesh upper caste , but many also claim to have the Kshatriya status. Although their ancestors were vegetarians, this is currently changing<ref>Government of Nepal; Central Bureau of Statistics; UNFPA. ''Population Monograph of Nepal, Volume II: Social Demography''. Kathmandu: CBS/UNFPA, 2014. https://nepal.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/Population%20Monograph%20V02.pdf</ref>.

*1996–1998: Ajit Kumar Mehta (Member of Parliament, Samastipur) / Government of India
*2020–2024: Alok Kumar Mehta (Minister of Revenue and Land Reforms, Bihar) / Government of Bihar
*2023–2024: Alok Kumar Mehta (Minister of Cooperative, Bihar) / Government of Bihar
*2024–present: Nisha Mehta (Minister of Health and Population, Nepal) / Government of Nepal

==Distribution in India==
People with this surname are native to [[North India|North]] and [[West India|Western regions]] of [[India]], including [[Punjab]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Haryana]], [[Delhi]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Bihar]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Gujarat]], and [[Maharashtra]] ([[Mumbai]]).<ref name=Oxford/>

==As surname used by Rajputs==
Mehta is also a [[Rajput]] clan name in the [[Kumaon division|Kumaon]] and [[Garhwal division|Garhwal]] region of [[Uttarakhand]], hilly terrains of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and western areas of Nepal. They served as nobles, ministers and bureaucrats under the [[Katyuri Kings]] and [[Chand Kings]] of Uttarakhand. People having this surname are native to Almora, Bageshwar, and Nainital districts of Uttarakhand, eastern parts of Himachal, Jammu and Kashmir, and western Nepal. In Nepal, they come under the [[Chhetri]] [[Varna (Hinduism)|varna]] and are considered chieftains of villages.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://forebears.io/surnames/mehta | title=Mehta Surname}}</ref>

In Rajasthan, Mehta was originally used as a term of respect applied to administrative office holders and bureaucrats of [[Rajputana]] kings.
Among Rajputs, it is used as both title and surname by [[Dewan]]s (ministers and nobles) of [[Bikaner State]] and many other states of [[Rajputana]] and are considered direct descendants of the [[Solar dynasty]] (Suryavanshi) and [[Chauhan Dynasty]]. The [[dewan]]s and [[chief minister]]s of the [[Bikaner State]] were:

*1460–1465 Bachhraj Bothra (Mantri-Dewan / Jodhpur) / Rao Jodha
*1465–1505 Bachhraj Bothra (Founding Dewan / Bikaner) / Rao Bika
*1505–1526 Karam Singh Bothra Bachhawat (Descendants of Bachhraj were known as Bachhawats) / Rao Nar Singh and Rao Lunkaran
*1571–1591 Mehta [[Karam Chand Bachhawat]] (Title of Mehta granted by Emperor Akbar) / Rao Kalyan Mal and Raja Rai Singh
*1619–1620 Mehta Bhag Chand Bothra Bachhawat / Raja Sur Singh
*1619–1620 Mehta Lakshmi Chand Bothra Bachhawat / Raja Sur Singh
*1735 – February 1751: Mehta Bakhtawar Singh (1st time) (b. 1707 – d. 1779)
*1752–1756: Mehta Bakhtawar Singh (2nd time) (s.a.)
*1756 – December 1757: Mehta Prithvi Singh
*1757–1762: Mehta Bakhtawar Singh (3rd time) (s.a.)
*September 1765 – 1779: Mehta Bakhtawar Singh (4th time) (s.a.)
*1779–178.: Mehta Swaroop Singh
*178.–1787: Mehta Thakursi
*1787–1791: Mehta Madho Rao
*1794–1805: Mehta Rao Sahib Singh Gun Roop
*April 1815 – February 1816: Mehta Bhomji
*February 1816 – 1828: Abhai Singh Mehta
*1853–1853: Leeladhar Mehta
*1868: Sheo Lal Mehta

==As surname used by Banias==
Among [[Oswal]] and [[Porwal]] [[Bania (caste)|Banias]], Mehta is a clan name.<ref name="Oxford" />

== As surname used by Khatris==
Among [[Khatri|Khatris]], Mehta is a clan name.<ref name="Oxford" />

==Notable individuals==
Notable individuals with this surname include:


*[[Aditya Mehta]] (born 1985), snooker player
*[[Ajay Mehta]], Indian actor
*[[Alok Mehta]] (born 1952), Indian journalist
*[[Alok Kumar Mehta]], former General Secretary of [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]], served as minister in [[Government of Bihar]].
*[[Amit Mehta]] (born 1971), United States district judge
*[[Anil Mehta]], film director, cinematographer
*[[Apoorva Mehta]] (born 1986), founder of Instacart
*[[Ashok Mehta]] (1947–2012), Indian cinematographer
*[[Atul Mehta]] (born 1949), Indian cricketer
*[[Balwantrai Mehta]] (1900–1965), Gujarat's second Chief Minister
*[[Bejun Mehta]] (born 1968), American countertenor
*[[Deepa Mehta]] (born 1950), Canadian film director and screenwriter
*[[Deena Mehta]] (born 1961), Indian first woman president of the [[Bombay Stock Exchange]]
*[[Devaanshi Mehta]] (1996–2012), British-Indian student who started the Asian Donor Campaign
*[[Dilip Mehta]]
*[[Gita Mehta]] (''née'' Patnaik; 1943–2023), Indian writer
*[[Gulshan Kumar Mehta]] (1937–2009), Indian lyricist and actor
*[[Hansa Jivraj Mehta]] (1897–1995), Indian reformist, social activist, educator, independence activist, and writer
*[[Harshad Mehta]] (1954–2001), Indian stockbroker who was convicted of market manipulation and died of a heart attack at age 47.
*[[Hemant Mehta]] (born 1983), American-born Indian author
*[[Homi Maneck Mehta]] (1871–1948), Indian industrialist and philanthropist
*[[Jagat Singh Mehta]] (1922–2014), Foreign Secretary of India
*[[Jamshed Nusserwanjee Mehta]] (1886–1952), Mayor of Karachi
*[[Jarava Lal Mehta]] (1912–1988), Indian philosopher
*[[Jay Mehta]] (born 1961), businessman and owner of the Mehta Group
*[[Jehangir Mehta]] (born 1971), chef and owner of New York City restaurants
*[[Jivraj Narayan Mehta]] (1887–1978), Gujarat's first Chief Minister
*[[Kalu Mehta]] (1440–1522), father of Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak
*[[Laxmi Narayan Mehta]] (1980), former member of Bihar legislative assembly.
*[[Madan Lal Mehta]] (1932–2006), theoretical physicist in the field of random matrix theory
*[[Mehli Mehta]], (1908–2002): musician; founder of the Bombay Philharmonic and Bombay String Orchestras
*[[Nakuul Mehta]] (born 1983), actor and model
*[[Nariman Mehta]] (1920–2014), organic chemist and inventor of bupropion (Wellbutrin)
*[[Narsinh Mehta]], Gujarati spiritual poet
*[[Neil Mehta]], American venture capitalist
*[[Nicky Mehta]], singer, songwriter, member of Canadian folk trio The Wailin' Jennys
*[[Pherozeshah Mehta]] (1845–1915), Indian political leader, activist, and lawyer
*[[Phiroz Mehta]] (1902–1994), writer on religious topics, and philosopher
*[[Pratap Bhanu Mehta]] (born 1967), Indian academic and think tank
*[[Raj Mehta]]
*[[Russell Mehta]], Indian businessman
*[[Sahil Mehta]] (born 1988), Indian actor
*[[Samir Mehta]]
*[[Sargun Mehta]] (born 1988), Indian model, comedian, dancer, presenter and actress
*[[Shailendra Raj Mehta]] (born 1959), Indian economist, president and director, MICA
*[[Shekhar Mehta]] (1945–2006), Ugandan-born Kenyan rally driver
*[[Sonny Mehta]] (born Ajai Singh Mehta; 1942–2019), Indian book editor
*[[Suketu Mehta]] (born 1963), India-born American writer
*[[Tarak Mehta]] (Born Tarak Janubhai Mehta; 1929-2017), Indian writer, humorist, and playwright
*[[Tushar Mehta]]
*[[Tyeb Mehta]] (1925–2009), Indian painter
*[[Tulsidas Mehta]], multiple times Member of Bihar Legislative Assembly, a former minister in [[Government of Bihar]].
*[[Uday Singh Mehta]], American political scientist
*[[Veer Singh Mehta]] (born 1949), Indian neurosurgeon
*[[Veronica Mehta]], British Punjabi singer
*[[Vikram Bhagvandas Mehta]] (1946–2014), Indian mathematician
*[[Zarin Mehta]] (born 1938), executive director of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra; brother of Zubin
*[[Zubeida Begum]] (1926-1952), Indian actress born to Faiza Bai and Shri Qasembhai Mehta; she was married to Maharaja of Jodhpur, [[Hanwant Singh]]
*[[Zubin Mehta]] (born 1936), Indian conductor of Western classical music


{{surname}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Gujarati-language surnames]]
[[Category:History of Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Surnames of Indian origin]]
[[Category:Hindustani-language surnames]]
[[Category:Surnames of Hindu origin]]

Mehta

2026-06-26T07:32:40Z

2400:1A00:1B67:718A:2114:B135:199D:E6F1:

{{For|the village in Madhya Pradesh, India|Mehta (village)}}
'''Mehta''' ({{ipa|hi|meːɦt̪aː|ipa}}) is an [[Indian surname]], derived from the [[Sanskrit]] word ''mahita'' meaning 'great' or 'praised'. It is found among several Indian religious groups, including [[Hindus]], [[Jains]], [[Parsis]], and [[Sikhs]]. Among Hindus, it is used by a wide range of castes and social groups, including [[kushwaha]]/[[Koeri]], [[Rajput]]s, [[Brahmin]]s ([[Mohyal Brahmin]]) , Tyagi and [[Bania (caste)|Bania]].<ref name=Oxford>{{Cite book | url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780195081374.001.0001/acref-9780195081374-e-41805?rskey=86GkPQ&result=44 | title=Dictionary of American Family Names | publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] | isbn=0-19-508137-4}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date=January 2026}}

==As surname used by Kushwaha (Koeri)==

Mehta is also used as a surname by some families belonging to the [[Kushwaha]]([[Koeri]]) community in the Indian state of [[Bihar]] and the [[Madhesh Province|Madhesh]] and (Terai) region of [[Nepal]]. Historically, the title "Mehta" was associated in some localities with village administration, revenue collection, and positions of responsibility. Over time, it became a hereditary surname among certain Kushwaha (Koiri) families.

People bearing the Mehta surname among the Kushwaha (Koiri) community are found primarily in the districts of [[East Champaran]], [[West Champaran]], [[Muzaffarpur]], [[Sitamarhi]], [[Madhubani]], [[Darbhanga]], [[Samastipur]], [[Vaishali district|Vaishali]], and adjoining areas of Bihar, as well as in the Terai districts of Nepal including [[Parsa District|Parsa]], [[Bara District|Bara]], [[Rautahat District|Rautahat]], [[Sarlahi District|Sarlahi]], [[Mahottari District|Mahottari]], [[Dhanusha District|Dhanusha]], [[Siraha District|Siraha]], [[Saptari District|Saptari]],[[Sunsari District|Sunsari]] and [[Morang District|Morang]]. Members of these families have traditionally been engaged in agriculture, landownership(zamindar), trade, public service, education, and business.They are an influential and well-organized powerful caste compared to other castes. They are very hardworking. The Kushwaha community belongs to the Vaishya class of the Madhesh upper caste , but many also claim to have the Kshatriya status. Although their ancestors were vegetarians, this is currently changing<ref>Government of Nepal; Central Bureau of Statistics; UNFPA. ''Population Monograph of Nepal, Volume II: Social Demography''. Kathmandu: CBS/UNFPA, 2014. https://nepal.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/Population%20Monograph%20V02.pdf</ref>.

==Distribution in India==
People with this surname are native to [[North India|North]] and [[West India|Western regions]] of [[India]], including [[Punjab]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Haryana]], [[Delhi]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Bihar]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Gujarat]], and [[Maharashtra]] ([[Mumbai]]).<ref name=Oxford/>

==As surname used by Rajputs==
Mehta is also a [[Rajput]] clan name in the [[Kumaon division|Kumaon]] and [[Garhwal division|Garhwal]] region of [[Uttarakhand]], hilly terrains of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and western areas of Nepal. They served as nobles, ministers and bureaucrats under the [[Katyuri Kings]] and [[Chand Kings]] of Uttarakhand. People having this surname are native to Almora, Bageshwar, and Nainital districts of Uttarakhand, eastern parts of Himachal, Jammu and Kashmir, and western Nepal. In Nepal, they come under the [[Chhetri]] [[Varna (Hinduism)|varna]] and are considered chieftains of villages.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://forebears.io/surnames/mehta | title=Mehta Surname}}</ref>

In Rajasthan, Mehta was originally used as a term of respect applied to administrative office holders and bureaucrats of [[Rajputana]] kings.
Among Rajputs, it is used as both title and surname by [[Dewan]]s (ministers and nobles) of [[Bikaner State]] and many other states of [[Rajputana]] and are considered direct descendants of the [[Solar dynasty]] (Suryavanshi) and [[Chauhan Dynasty]]. The [[dewan]]s and [[chief minister]]s of the [[Bikaner State]] were:

*1460–1465 Bachhraj Bothra (Mantri-Dewan / Jodhpur) / Rao Jodha
*1465–1505 Bachhraj Bothra (Founding Dewan / Bikaner) / Rao Bika
*1505–1526 Karam Singh Bothra Bachhawat (Descendants of Bachhraj were known as Bachhawats) / Rao Nar Singh and Rao Lunkaran
*1571–1591 Mehta [[Karam Chand Bachhawat]] (Title of Mehta granted by Emperor Akbar) / Rao Kalyan Mal and Raja Rai Singh
*1619–1620 Mehta Bhag Chand Bothra Bachhawat / Raja Sur Singh
*1619–1620 Mehta Lakshmi Chand Bothra Bachhawat / Raja Sur Singh
*1735 – February 1751: Mehta Bakhtawar Singh (1st time) (b. 1707 – d. 1779)
*1752–1756: Mehta Bakhtawar Singh (2nd time) (s.a.)
*1756 – December 1757: Mehta Prithvi Singh
*1757–1762: Mehta Bakhtawar Singh (3rd time) (s.a.)
*September 1765 – 1779: Mehta Bakhtawar Singh (4th time) (s.a.)
*1779–178.: Mehta Swaroop Singh
*178.–1787: Mehta Thakursi
*1787–1791: Mehta Madho Rao
*1794–1805: Mehta Rao Sahib Singh Gun Roop
*April 1815 – February 1816: Mehta Bhomji
*February 1816 – 1828: Abhai Singh Mehta
*1853–1853: Leeladhar Mehta
*1868: Sheo Lal Mehta

==As surname used by Banias==
Among [[Oswal]] and [[Porwal]] [[Bania (caste)|Banias]], Mehta is a clan name.<ref name="Oxford" />

== As surname used by Khatris==
Among [[Khatri|Khatris]], Mehta is a clan name.<ref name="Oxford" />

==Notable individuals==
Notable individuals with this surname include:


*[[Aditya Mehta]] (born 1985), snooker player
*[[Ajay Mehta]], Indian actor
*[[Alok Mehta]] (born 1952), Indian journalist
*[[Alok Kumar Mehta]], former General Secretary of [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]], served as minister in [[Government of Bihar]].
*[[Amit Mehta]] (born 1971), United States district judge
*[[Anil Mehta]], film director, cinematographer
*[[Apoorva Mehta]] (born 1986), founder of Instacart
*[[Ashok Mehta]] (1947–2012), Indian cinematographer
*[[Atul Mehta]] (born 1949), Indian cricketer
*[[Balwantrai Mehta]] (1900–1965), Gujarat's second Chief Minister
*[[Bejun Mehta]] (born 1968), American countertenor
*[[Deepa Mehta]] (born 1950), Canadian film director and screenwriter
*[[Deena Mehta]] (born 1961), Indian first woman president of the [[Bombay Stock Exchange]]
*[[Devaanshi Mehta]] (1996–2012), British-Indian student who started the Asian Donor Campaign
*[[Dilip Mehta]]
*[[Gita Mehta]] (''née'' Patnaik; 1943–2023), Indian writer
*[[Gulshan Kumar Mehta]] (1937–2009), Indian lyricist and actor
*[[Hansa Jivraj Mehta]] (1897–1995), Indian reformist, social activist, educator, independence activist, and writer
*[[Harshad Mehta]] (1954–2001), Indian stockbroker who was convicted of market manipulation and died of a heart attack at age 47.
*[[Hemant Mehta]] (born 1983), American-born Indian author
*[[Homi Maneck Mehta]] (1871–1948), Indian industrialist and philanthropist
*[[Jagat Singh Mehta]] (1922–2014), Foreign Secretary of India
*[[Jamshed Nusserwanjee Mehta]] (1886–1952), Mayor of Karachi
*[[Jarava Lal Mehta]] (1912–1988), Indian philosopher
*[[Jay Mehta]] (born 1961), businessman and owner of the Mehta Group
*[[Jehangir Mehta]] (born 1971), chef and owner of New York City restaurants
*[[Jivraj Narayan Mehta]] (1887–1978), Gujarat's first Chief Minister
*[[Kalu Mehta]] (1440–1522), father of Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak
*[[Laxmi Narayan Mehta]] (1980), former member of Bihar legislative assembly.
*[[Madan Lal Mehta]] (1932–2006), theoretical physicist in the field of random matrix theory
*[[Mehli Mehta]], (1908–2002): musician; founder of the Bombay Philharmonic and Bombay String Orchestras
*[[Nakuul Mehta]] (born 1983), actor and model
*[[Nariman Mehta]] (1920–2014), organic chemist and inventor of bupropion (Wellbutrin)
*[[Narsinh Mehta]], Gujarati spiritual poet
*[[Neil Mehta]], American venture capitalist
*[[Nicky Mehta]], singer, songwriter, member of Canadian folk trio The Wailin' Jennys
*[[Pherozeshah Mehta]] (1845–1915), Indian political leader, activist, and lawyer
*[[Phiroz Mehta]] (1902–1994), writer on religious topics, and philosopher
*[[Pratap Bhanu Mehta]] (born 1967), Indian academic and think tank
*[[Raj Mehta]]
*[[Russell Mehta]], Indian businessman
*[[Sahil Mehta]] (born 1988), Indian actor
*[[Samir Mehta]]
*[[Sargun Mehta]] (born 1988), Indian model, comedian, dancer, presenter and actress
*[[Shailendra Raj Mehta]] (born 1959), Indian economist, president and director, MICA
*[[Shekhar Mehta]] (1945–2006), Ugandan-born Kenyan rally driver
*[[Sonny Mehta]] (born Ajai Singh Mehta; 1942–2019), Indian book editor
*[[Suketu Mehta]] (born 1963), India-born American writer
*[[Tarak Mehta]] (Born Tarak Janubhai Mehta; 1929-2017), Indian writer, humorist, and playwright
*[[Tushar Mehta]]
*[[Tyeb Mehta]] (1925–2009), Indian painter
*[[Tulsidas Mehta]], multiple times Member of Bihar Legislative Assembly, a former minister in [[Government of Bihar]].
*[[Uday Singh Mehta]], American political scientist
*[[Veer Singh Mehta]] (born 1949), Indian neurosurgeon
*[[Veronica Mehta]], British Punjabi singer
*[[Vikram Bhagvandas Mehta]] (1946–2014), Indian mathematician
*[[Zarin Mehta]] (born 1938), executive director of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra; brother of Zubin
*[[Zubeida Begum]] (1926-1952), Indian actress born to Faiza Bai and Shri Qasembhai Mehta; she was married to Maharaja of Jodhpur, [[Hanwant Singh]]
*[[Zubin Mehta]] (born 1936), Indian conductor of Western classical music


{{surname}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Gujarati-language surnames]]
[[Category:History of Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Surnames of Indian origin]]
[[Category:Hindustani-language surnames]]
[[Category:Surnames of Hindu origin]]