Singh

The word "Singh" is derived from the Sanskrit Siṃha meaning lion. Several variants of the word are found in other languages:

Singh was first used as a surname by Ahir kings of Nepal and later by the Rajputs beginning in the 7th century. It has been common practice among the Rajput men to have Singh as their middle name. The Rajputs started using Singh in preference to the classical epithet of "Varman".

Apart from the Rajputs and the Sikhs, several other groups in India have also adopted Singh as either a middle name or a surname. Some others include the Yadavs (e.g. "Mulayam Singh Yadav"), Bhumiyar Brahmins, the Gujjars (e.g. "Kuldip Singh Chandpuri"), and the Hindu Jats (e.g. "Chaudhary Charan Singh and Maharaja Bhim Singh Rana").

Singh is often used the traditional way, as previously described, by having it as the middle name after the first name and followed by the clan/family name by many communities, groups & peoples. For example, "Yogendra Singh Yadav", "Bhupinder Singh Hooda", "Mahendra Singh Dhoni", and "Bhairon Singh Shekhawat"). Sikh examples include, "Jassa Singh Ahluwalia", "Jassa Singh Ramgarhia" & "Hari Singh Nalwa" . Thus Singh can be used as a middle name before the individual's surname (last name), a common practice among many groups in India e.g. Jassa Singh Ahluwalia (Pattern, 1: First Name, 2: Singh, 3: Family lineage name). Many adherents of Sikh faith across the World, some of which may come from many other races, countries, cultures and groups also use the name "Singh" as a middle name with last name as "Khalsa" e.g. "Avtar Singh Khalsa" (Pattern, 1: First Name, 2: Singh, 3: Belonging to Khalsa Spiritual Family). Another practise among Sikhs is to use village/town/city/country lineage after middle name Singh to avoid using the caste lineage e.g. "Parkash Singh Badal" (Pattern, 1: First Name, 2: Singh, 3: Village/Town/country lineage). Singh is also used as a surname (last name) (for example, "Manmohan Singh", "Vijay Singh", and "Upkar Singh").

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