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Singh (IPA:/ˈsɪŋ/SING) is atitle,middle name, orsurname that means "lion" in variousSouth Asian andSoutheast Asian communities. Traditionally used by theHinduKshatriya community,[1] it was later mandated in the late 17th century byGuru Gobind Singh (born Gobind Das) for all maleSikhs as well, in part as a rejection ofcaste-based prejudice[2] and to emulateRajput naming conventions.[3][4][5][6] As a surname or a middle name, it is now found throughout the world across communities and religious groups, becoming more of a generic, caste-neutral, decorative name—similar to names such asKumar andLal.[7][8][9]
The word "Singh" is derived from theSanskrit word सिंह (IAST: siṃha) meaning "lion", and is used to convey a "hero" or "eminent person".[10]
Several variants of the word are found in other languages:
Originally, the Sanskrit word for lion, variously transliterated as Simha or Singh, was used as a title byKshatriya warriors in northern parts of India. The earliest recorded examples of names ending with "Simha" are the names of the two sons ofRudraraman, who ruled the Western Satraps in the second century CE.Jayasimha, the first ruler of theChalukya dynasty to bear the title Simha, ruled around 500 CE. TheVengi branch of the Chalukyas continued using Simha as a last name until the eleventh century. The Rajputs started using Singh in preference to the classical epithet of "Varman". Among theRajputs, the use of the word Singh came into vogue among theParamaras ofMalwa in 10th century CE, among theGuhilots and theKachwahas ofNarwar in the 12th century CE, and theRathores ofMarwar after the 17th century.[11]
By the sixteenth century, "Singh" had become a popular surname among Rajputs.[12] It was adopted by the Sikhs in 1699, as per the instructions ofGuru Gobind Singh. Singh is used by all baptized male Sikhs, regardless of their geographical or cultural binding; the women useKaur.[13][14] Guru Gobind Singh introduced the surname "Singh" for Sikh men to foster equality and unity within the community. This move aimed to eliminate caste distinctions and promote a fearless and righteous identity. By adopting "Singh," Sikh men were encouraged to live as saint-soldiers, embodying courage, justice, and a commitment to serving humanity,[15]: 121–126 [16][17] According toPashaura Singh, the Guru gave male Sikhs the name "Singh", which was associated with aristocracy, to imitate the traditions of the Rajput hill chiefs near Anandpur Sahib.[4]
In the 18th century, several groups started using the title "Singh". These included the Brahmins, the Kayasthas and the Baniyas of what are nowUttar Pradesh and Bihar. In the 19th century, even the Bengal courtpeons of the lower castes adopted the title "Singh".[11]Bhumihars, who originally used Brahmin surnames, also started affixing Singh to their names.[18] InBihar andJharkhand, the surname came to be associated with power and authority, and was adopted by people of multiple castes, includingBrahminzamindars.[19][20] CitingKshatriya status, numerous communities use 'Singh' as part of their names.[21] Some Jains have also adopted the surname in addition to various Hindu castes.[22]
Many MuslimShins historically used the surname "Sing", the earlier form of the name, "Simha", was frequently appended to names found in the Gilgit Manuscripts, a corpus of Buddhist texts and the oldest surviving manuscripts in India, discovered in theGilgit region of Kashmir.[23][24]
People belonging to several other castes and communities also started using Singh as a title, middle name or a surname; these include non-Sikh Punjabis,Charans,Yadavs,Gurjars,Brahmins,Marathas,Jats,Kushwahas,Rajpurohits,Kumawats etc. Dalit andother backward groups have also adopted the name, including theBhils,[25]Koeris,[26] andDusadhs.[26] The name is also found among theIndian diaspora.
"Singh" is generally used as a surname or as a middle name/title. When used as a middle name, it is generally followed by the caste, clan or family name. To reduce caste discrimination, some Sikhs append "Khalsa" or their native village names to Singh.[27]
Originally, a common practice among theRajput men was to have "Singh" as their last name, whileRajput women had the last name 'Kanwar'. However, now, many Rajput women have Singh in their name as well.[28]
Singh is a common name in Nepal; the appellation has acquired caste-neutral status due to its wide scale adoption by many members of Nepali society.[7] Some notable examples of Nepalis with the middle name/surname Singh are:Amar Singh Thapa,Ranodip Singh, andPratap Singh Shah.
Singh is a common Hindu name in Guyana.[29] Some Indian immigrants to British Guiana are believed to have adopted surnames traditionally associated with high caste status, including Sharma and Tiwari (Brahmin), as well as Singh (Kshatriya).[30]
A section of around a million adherents of Sikhism that live abroad inWestern countries only keep Singh or Kaur as their last name. This has caused legal problems in immigration procedures, especially inCanada. For a decade, theCanadian High Commission inNew Delhi stated in letters to its Sikh clients that "the names Kaur and Singh do not qualify for the purpose of immigration to Canada", requiring people with these surnames to adopt new ones. The ban was denounced by the Sikh community, after which the Citizenship and Immigration Canada announced it was dropping the policy, calling the whole issue a misunderstanding based on a "poorly worded" letter.[31]
The use of the two names by baptized Sikhs was originally intended to end the prejudice created by names pertaining to the various Hindu castes
Singh was a common name utilised by Rajputs, the Hindu ruling or warrior caste.
The male members were given the surname Singh (lion) and female members were given the surname Kaur (princess), with the intention of creating a parallel system of aristocratic titles in relation to the Rajput hill chiefs of the surrounding areas of Anandpur.
As the term 'Singh' meaning 'lion' was adopted from the Rajputs, so too was the name 'Kaur'
The code of conduct (rahit) expected of all initiates of the Khalsa, as laid down by Guru Gobind Singh and subsequently eloborated, emphasises both the equality of its members and the martial spirit expected of them by awarding the Rajput titles of Singh ('lion') to men and Kaur ('princess') to women, irrespective of caste origin.
In the process of forming a casteless society, many first generation Nepalis (and Indians) changed their surnames to Singh, which is a neutral and now common surname.
Some individuals often drop their surnames and use generic names such as Kumar, Lal, Singh, or Chowdhary that are not jati specific.
Going by the usage, Singh is more a title than a surname, cutting across communities and religious groups.
In those days, "Singh" as a surname was very popular among a famous warrior caste of north India, the Rajputs. Some of the first Sikhs were also Rajputs.
Singh was invoked but never defined (see thehelp page).The surname, Singh, for example, was appropriated over a period of several centuries of acculturation by different Hindu castes, including lower castes as well as followers of Jainism.
Similarly, Koyeris, a backward caste, claim themselves as Kushwaha Kshatriya and Dusadh, another scheduled caste, claim themselves as Gahlout Kshatriya. Some of their members use titles like ' Singh ' and ' Thakur.