Surname Sinha - Meaning and Origin
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Sinha: What does the surname Sinha mean?
The last name Sinha is one of the most common surnames in India and is derived from the Sanskrit word “sinha” which has two separate meanings. The first translation of the word is “lion” and is thought to have originated from the term used for Hindu deity Shiva who was also known as “Mahakala” or “The Great Protector”.
In Hindu mythology, lions are a symbol of strength and ferocity. Other stories say that the name Sinha derived from a clan of warriors called the Sinh clan who were ancestors of the ruling dynasties. The word “sinha” was also associated with bravery, particularly referring to feats of strength.
In modern times, the Sinha surname is also popular in East Asia, particularly in Sri Lanka and Nepal. In the region, the word sinha is associated with protection and is often used to refer to the leader of a community. Families with the surname are traditionally associated with leadership, courage and strength.
In short, the surname Sinha is associated with leadership, strength and protection in many parts of the world. The roots of the name are based in Hindu mythology and are thought to refer to the Hindu god Shiva, who was known for his courage and strength. In modern times, the surname is still associated with protection, courage and strength in East Asia and the Indian Subcontinent.
Order DNA origin analysisSinha: Where does the name Sinha come from?
The last name Sinha is most common today in India. This is due to numerous historical settling there throughout the centuries, that has made the surname spread and increase in frequency throughout South Asia.
The surname Sinha is derived from the Sanskrit word सिन्हा (sinhā) which means "lion". This partly explains why the surname is so widely common in India, as lions are an integral part of Indian mythological and cultural symbolism.
The surname Sinha is most common among individuals of the Brahmin and Kshatriya castes (or varnas). These are two prestigious social classes in the Hindu religion, and can both trace their roots back to ancient Indian historical texts.
The surname also carries political importance in India. Many prominent members of the Indian parliament, army, judiciary, and others are surnamed Sinha. Some of them include Shatrughan Sinha, Lalit Sinha, Sarojini Sinha, and Mani Shankar Aiyar.
Outside of India, the surname Sinha has spread to other countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Russia, and South Africa. Most with the surname in these countries are of Indian heritage. For example, in the United States, Sinha was the 676th most common Asian family name in 2000.
Overall, the last name Sinha is now widely popular in India and several other countries around the world. Those with the surname now carry the history of India, the traditional Hindu caste system, and an important reminder of the influence of symbolism and culture even today.
Variations of the surname Sinha
The surname Sinha is a popular surname of Indian origin usually used in the Bengali language. It is also used in other parts of South Asia. Generally, it is used as a title of respect for males in the Indian subcontinent.
The variant spellings of this surname are Sainha, Saynha, Shena, Sihna, Simha, Sinhah, Sunnah, Sonah and Sona. The surname Sinha is also common in Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Jain families.
In Bengali, the surnames Sanha, Singha, and Sangeetha are derived from Sinha. The variants Sindhwar, Singhwar and Simghwar are also derived from the spelling of Sinha.
For those of Jain and Sikh backgrounds, the spelling of Sinha is often replaced with Singh. For Muslims, this surname is often renamed as Khan.
In some south Indian states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, this surname is spelled as Singam. Singhal is the Jain variant used by members of the Oswal and Agarwal communities.
In Nepal, Sinha is often spelled as Singha in both Hindi and English.
Lastly, Sinhababu and Chinna are sometimes used as nicknames for those with the surname Sinha.
Famous people with the name Sinha
- Shatrughan Sinha: Shatrughan Sinha is an Indian actor and politician known for his work in Hindi cinema. He was one of the most popular leading actors of the 70s and 80s.
- Sonakshi Sinha: Sonakshi Sinha is an Indian actress who works in Hindi-language films. She is the daughter of actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha.
- Anoop Sinha: Anoop Sinha is an Indian film director known for his work in the action and horror genres. He is the grandson of filmmaker Raja Nene.
- Sushant Singh Rajput: Sushant Singh Rajput was an Indian actor, dancer, and entrepreneur who, during his short career, worked in films across language boundaries. He was born to Uttam and Usha Sinha.
- Puneet Issar: Puneet Issar is an Indian actor, director, and producer. He is popular for playing the roles of Duryodhan in Mahabharat and Singh in Coolie. He is married to Reena Sinha.
- Gaurav Sinha: Gaurav Sinha is an Indian entrepreneur, investor and media personality. He is the founder of the Boston-based investment and advisory firm KSV Group.
- Suvasini Sinha: Suvasini Sinha is an Indian singer, songwriter, composer and filmmaker. She has written several books and sings ghazals and bhajans.
- KK Sinha: KK Sinha is an Indian nutritionist and dietician. He works as a consultant to celebrities and advises on diet, lifestyle, and nutrition.
- Abhishek Sinha: Abhishek Sinha is an Indian entrepreneur and investor. He is the founder and CEO of Etlhive.
- Sushil Sinha: Sushil Sinha is an Indian artist and cartoonist. He is best known as the creator of India's first comics magazine, Indrajal Comics.