Surname Kelkar - Meaning and Origin
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Kelkar: What does the surname Kelkar mean?
Kelkar is a surname of Indian origin, predominantly found in the western state of Maharashtra. It is common amongst the Marathi-speaking Chitpavan Brahmin community. The exact meaning of Kelkar is unclear as it derives from the old Marathi language. However, it is believed to be a combination of two words: "kel," which means "banana plant" and "kar," which refers to "a resident of" or "maker of". So, it's possible that the name may have originally referred to a resident of a place abundant with banana plants or someone who worked with banana plants. It must be noted that meanings of surnames can be speculative and roots of such names often trace back to ancient times, thus might not hold a meaningful interpretation in the modern context. Like many Indian surnames, Kelkar might also be associated with a specific profession or a geographical location.
Order DNA origin analysisKelkar: Where does the name Kelkar come from?
The last name Kelkar originated from India and permeates in the Maharashtrian Brahmin communities. The Brahmins are considered to be among the highest caste groups in India. Often, Indian surnames like Kelkar denote the family's place of origin, profession, or ancestry. Today, the Kelkar surname is common especially in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, but can also be found in other regions of India due to migration. Since Indian diaspora is spread out across the globe, individuals with the Kelkar surname can also be found in other countries, particularly where there are substantive Indian communities such as the United States, UK, Canada, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Kelkar
The surname Kelkar primarily originates from the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is primarily used by the Marathi people and it doesn't seem to have many spelling variants because of its simple and straightforward phonetics. The surname may have derived from the word "Kelkarni" meaning the village accountant.
Over time, surnames evolve, and it's possible that in different regions or families, the name may have been changed slightly based on local dialect or personal preference, but specific variants of "Kelkar" are not widely documented.
While there does not seem to be many direct variants of the name Kelkar, similar surnames of the same origin (Maharashtra, India) could include Kulkarni, Deshpande, and Joshi. These names, like Kelkar, are also frequently found among those in the Chitpavan Brahmin and Deshastha Brahmin communities. However, keep in mind that, despite coming from the same regional and linguistic background, these names may not share the same exact derivation as Kelkar.
Always remember that surnames, being deeply personal and tied to family history, can vary greatly and it's best to ask individuals for their specific origins.
Famous people with the name Kelkar
- Sharad Kelkar: An Indian actor, famed for his roles in both television and films such as "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela" and "Tanha Ji: The Unsung Warrior."
- Purbi Joshi: Born as Purbi Kelkar, she is a noted Indian television actress and voice-dub artist, mainly known for her comic roles.
- Bhushan Kelkar: Known as a professional bodybuilder from India, he has represented his country in numerous international events.
- Madhav Shrihari Kelkar: He was a thinker, social activist and writer from Maharashtra, India.
- Nikhil Kelkar: An established architect who has worked on projects globally.
- Raghunath Narasinha Kelkar: An illustrious classical musician from India. Remember that some of these might be spelled differently in different places based on local pronunciation and transliteration norms.