Meaning and origin
The last name "Kumar" originates from India and has roots in the Sanskrit language. It is derived from the title "kumara," which means "prince" or "youth" in Sanskrit. Historically, the term denoted a noble or royal lineage, often associated with the ruling class. Over time, the title evolved into a hereditary last name used by individuals across different castes and communities.
The longer story
The last name Kumar holds significance for individuals of Indian origin, as it is commonly used as a surname in India. In Sanskrit, a historical and ancient language of India, "Kumar" means "youth" or "prince." The name has its roots in Hindu mythology, where Kumar is synonymous with Lord Kartikeya, the Hindu god of war.
Derived from the title "Kumara," which signifies "unmarried" or "virgin," the name Kumar has been employed as a personal name for countless generations in India. As a last name, Kumar reflects a person's affiliation with the Kumara lineage or a social connection to the deity Kartikeya.
It is worthy to note that "Kumari" is a similar name, but it is typically used as a surname for females, signifying unmarried women.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#1,357
Kumar was the 1,357th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 25,986 people, about 8.4 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Kumar
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Kumar is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.