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| '''Singh''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|ɪ|ŋ}} is a ], ] or ], which originated in ]. Derived from the ] word for ], it was originally used as a title by the warriors in India. It was later adopted by several castes and communities, including the Sikhs, whose ] mandated it for all the ] males. As a surname or a middle name, it is now found throughout the ] and among the ], cutting across communities and religious groups.<ref>{{cite book | url=http://books.google.com/?id=bfAMAQAAMAAJ | title=Communities, segments, synonyms, surnames and titles | publisher=] | author=] | year=1996 | pages=1390 | isbn=9780195633573 |page=32 |quote=Going by the usage, Singh is more a title than a surname, cutting across communities and religious groups. }}</ref> | |||
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| ⚫ | == Etymology and variations == | ||
| '''Singh''' (meaning ''Lion''''''सिंह'''') {{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|ɪ|ŋ}} is a ] or ] which originated in ]. Singh as a middle name or last name was first used in ] in 7th century, then in other states such as ], ], ], ]. ]s were among the last ones who had adopted the surname "Singh".<ref>{{cite book|title=The matrifocal family: power, pluralism, and politics|author=Raymond Thomas Smith|publisher=Routledge|year=1996|id= ISBN 978-0-415-91214-3|page=118|isbn=0-415-91214-8}}</ref> | |||
| The word "Singh" is derived from the ] word for ] (सिंह ''siṃha'').<ref>{{cite book|last=Feuerstein|first=Georg|title=The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice |publisher=]/Hohm |origyear=1998|year=2002|oclc=39013819 |isbn=81-208-1923-3 |page=444}}</ref> Several variants of the word are found in other languages: | |||
| It is derived from the ] word सिंह ''siṃha'' meaning ].<ref>{{cite book|last=Feuerstein|first=Georg|title=The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice|publisher=]/Hohm|origyear=1998|year=2002|oclc=39013819|isbn=81-208-1923-3|page=444}}</ref> It is used as a surname or middle name by ] including ]s, ]s,<ref name="Maharashtra">{{cite book | url=http://books.google.com/?id=4bfmnmsBfQ4C&pg=PA1846&dq=jat+surname+singh#v=onepage&q=jat%20surname%20singh&f=false | title=People of India: Maharashtra, Part 3 | publisher=Popular Prakashan, | author=B. V. Bhanu Contributors Kumar Suresh Singh, B. V. Mehta, Anthropological Survey of India | year=2004 | pages=1846 | isbn=9788179911020}}</ref> ], ]s, ]s, ] ]s, ]s, ]s, ], ] and ]s,<ref name="Kumar Suresh Singh">{{cite book | url=http://books.google.com/?id=bfAMAQAAMAAJ&q=kamaria+ahir&dq=kamaria+ahir | title=Communities, segments, synonyms, surnames and titles | publisher=Anthropological Survey of India, Original from the University of Michigan | author=Kumar Suresh Singh | year=1996 | pages=1390 | isbn=9780195633573}}</ref><ref name="Rolamba">{{cite book | url=http://books.google.com/?id=W445AAAAIAAJ&q=state+ruled+by+ahir+king&dq=state+ruled+by+ahir+king | title=Rolamba, Volume 2 | publisher=Joshi Research Institute. Original from the University of California | year=1982 | pages=34}}</ref> as well as by ],<ref name=" Catherine B. Asher, Cynthia Talbot">{{cite book | url=http://books.google.com/?id=ZvaGuaJIJgoC&pg=PA269&dq=jat+surname+singh#v=onepage&q=jat%20surname%20singh&f=false | title=India Before Europe | publisher=Cambridge University Press | author=Catherine B. Asher, Cynthia Talbot | year=2006 | pages=269 | isbn=9780521809047}}</ref> for whom it is mandatory. The surname is generally used by males. | |||
| By the sixteenth century, "Singh" had become a popular surname among Rajput warriors and Royal Kayastha administrators/lords.<ref name="Chander2003">{{cite book|author=Prakash Chander|title=India: Past & Present|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=4_Rl5c_v1-kC&pg=PA120|accessdate=11 January 2013|date=1 January 2003|publisher=APH Publishing|isbn=978-81-7648-455-8|pages=120–}}</ref>{{Qn|date=June 2015}} | |||
| It was adopted into ] in 1699 as per the instructions of ]; the use of Singh as a last name is mandatory for all baptized male Sikhs since 1699, regardless of their geographical or cultural binding. | |||
| Some Brahmins, such as Bhumihar Brahmins, Maithil Brahmins also use this surname in Bihar. The anthropologist ] said in ''People of India (] and ])'', published by the ] (ASI) that the surname "Singh/Sinha", used to denote connection with power and authority, was now used in Bihar by Brahmin and Kayastha ], like the surname "Khan" is used by Muslims.<ref>{{cite news | |||
| | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-02-21/patna/28055564_1_surnames-caste-identity-kumar-suresh-singh | |||
| | author = Pranava K Chaudhary | |||
| | title = Using surnames to conceal identity | |||
| | publisher = ] | |||
| | date = 2009-02-21 | |||
| | accessdate = 2013-01-18 | |||
| }}</ref> | |||
| "Singh" has gradually emerged as a hereditary ]<ref>''The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English'' 2008 defines Singh as: "Singh/ Simha/Sinha/ Sinh • n. a title or surname adopted by certain warrior castes of northern India, esp. by male members of the Sikh Khalsa". From ''The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English'' 2008, originally published by ] 2008 encyclopedia.com; Also see: </ref> to be used as a ''middle name'', highlighting connections to a ] and Royal status. | |||
| In the Hindi speaking communities, Singh (Lion) is perhaps the most common surname in ], ] and ].<ref name="Raja Ram Mehrotra">{{cite book | url=http://books.google.com/?id=PZm1H9y2SZgC&pg=RA1-PA6-IA7&dq=yadav+ahir+surname+Singh#v=snippet&q=Singh&f=false | title=Book Of Indian Names | publisher=Rupa Publications, | author=Raja Ram Mehrotra | year=2001 | isbn=9788171675425}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | == Etymology == | ||
| The word "Singh" is derived to ] सिंह ''Simha/Sinha'' meaning ]. Several variants of the word are found in other languages: | |||
| * In ], the name is written and pronounced as সিংহ (''Shing-ho''). | * In ], the name is written and pronounced as সিংহ (''Shing-ho''). | ||
| * In ] |
* In ], the name is written सिंह ({{IPA-hi|sɪŋɦə|IPA}}), and pronounced सिंघ ("singh", {{IPA-hi|sɪŋɡʱ|IPA}}). Variations include Simha and Sinha in ].<ref>{{cite book| last=Vanita |first=Ruth | authorlink=Ruth Vanita | title=Gandhi's tiger and Sita's smile: essays on gender, sexuality and culture | publisher=Yoda Press | location=]|year=2005|oclc=70008421|isbn=978-81-902272-5-4|page=37}}</ref> | ||
| * In ], the name is written and pronounced as सिंह (''Sinha''). | * In ], the name is written and pronounced as सिंह (''Sinha''). | ||
| * In ] (] script), the name is written as ਸਿੰਘ and pronounced as ''Singh''. | * In ] (] script), the name is written as ਸਿੰਘ and pronounced as ''Singh''. | ||
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| * In ], the name is written and pronounced as Sinha or Singha. | * In ], the name is written and pronounced as Sinha or Singha. | ||
| * In ], the word for lion is Singham, Sinham, Singhan, Sing or Singhe written as சிங்க, also derived from Sanskrit (see ]) | * In ], the word for lion is Singham, Sinham, Singhan, Sing or Singhe written as சிங்க, also derived from Sanskrit (see ]) | ||
| * In ], the name is written as සිංහ and pronounced as '']''. | * In ], the name is written as සිංහ and pronounced as '']''. The term Sinhalese referring to peoples of ], meaning "Lion Blooded" (Sinha = lion, le = blood). The ] are said to be descended from ] (a king who is fabled to have descended from a lion) | ||
| * The term Sinhalese referring to peoples of ], meaning "Lion Blooded" (Sinha = lion, le = blood). The ] are said to be descended from ] (a king who is fabled to have descended from a lion) | |||
| * In ], it is spelled {{lang|my|သီဟ}} (''thiha''), derived from the Pali variant ''siha.'' | * In ], it is spelled {{lang|my|သီဟ}} (''thiha''), derived from the Pali variant ''siha.'' | ||
| * ] is said to have also derived the word for lion from Buddhist missionaries from ]. | * ] is said to have also derived the word for lion from Buddhist missionaries from ]. | ||
| * In ], ''Singha'', written as {{lang-th|สิงห์}} with final syllable marked as silent, refers to a ]; the ] sign of ]; a popular brand of beer, ]; and is frequently used as a ] (for instance, ]). ''Singhakhom'' {{lang-th|สิงหาคม}}, in which the /ha/ is pronounced, is the ] month of August. ''Sing Toe'' {{lang-th|สิงโต}}, which omits /ha/ entirely and adds Thai for ''big'' or ''grown up'', refers to the ]. All except "Toe" are of Sanskrit origin. |
* In ], ''Singha'', written as {{lang-th|สิงห์}} with final syllable marked as silent, refers to a ]; the ] sign of ]; a popular brand of beer, ]; and is frequently used as a ] (for instance, ]). ''Singhakhom'' {{lang-th|สิงหาคม}}, in which the /ha/ is pronounced, is the ] month of August. ''Sing Toe'' {{lang-th|สิงโต}}, which omits /ha/ entirely and adds Thai for ''big'' or ''grown up'', refers to the ]. All except "Toe" are of Sanskrit origin. | ||
| ⚫ | * In ] and ], Singa or Singha, means ]. | ||
| * A common surname of Bihar, "Sinha" having same use and root. | |||
| ⚫ | * In ] and ], Singa or Singha, means ]. |
||
| * ] is derived from the ] word Singapura (]: सिंहपुर, lit. Lion City). | |||
| ==History== | == History == | ||
| Singh (], ], ], ], ], ]: , ]: Sinh) is derived from the ] word Siṃha meaning "lion". It is used as a common surname and middle name in ] by many communities, groups and peoples, especially the ] ]s, ] and the ]. | |||
| Singh was first used as a surname 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 ] (meaning shield). | |||
| ⚫ | Originally, the Sanskrit word for lion, variously transliterated as Simha or Singh, was used as a title by ] warriors in northern parts of India. The earliest recorded examples of the names ending with "Simha" are the names of the two sons of the ] ruler ] in the second century CE. The first ruler of the ]/] clan who bore the title Simha ruled around 500 CE. The ] branch of the Chalukyas continued using Simha as a last name till the eleventh century. The Rajputs started using Singh in preference to the classical epithet of "]". Among the ]s, the use of the word Simha came into vogue among the ]s of Malwa in 10th century CE, among the ]s and the ] of Narwar in the 12th century CE, and the ]s of Marwar after the 17th century.<ref name="Qanungo">{{cite book|last=Qanungo|first=Kalika Ranjan|title=Studies in Rajput History|publisher=]|location=]|year=1960|oclc=1326190|pages=138–140}}</ref> | ||
| The Sikhs adopted Singh as a surname in 1699, as per the wish of ], the tenth ]. In the Spring of 1699, on the day of Baisakhi, ] (originally named ]), made it mandatory for all Sikh males to append the name suffix Singh after their name. Singh is used as a middle name or as a surname (see naming patterns section) by approximately 10 million adherents of Sikhism. | |||
| By the sixteenth century, "Singh" had become a popular surname among Rajputs.<ref name="Chander2003">{{cite book|author=Prakash Chander|title=India: Past & Present|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=4_Rl5c_v1-kC&pg=PA120|accessdate=11 January 2013|date=1 January 2003|publisher=APH Publishing|isbn=978-81-7648-455-8|pages=120 |quoate=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.}}</ref> It was adopted by the Sikhs in 1699, as per the instructions of ]. Singh is used by all baptized male Sikhs, regardless of their geographical or cultural binding; the females use ].<ref>A History of the Sikh People (1469-1988) by Dr. Gopal Singh ISBN 81-7023-139-6</ref><ref name=" Catherine B. Asher, Cynthia Talbot">{{cite book | url=http://books.google.com/?id=ZvaGuaJIJgoC&pg=PA269&dq=jat+surname+singh#v=onepage&q=jat%20surname%20singh&f=false | title=India Before Europe | publisher=Cambridge University Press | author=Catherine B. Asher, Cynthia Talbot | year=2006 | pages=269 | isbn=9780521809047}}</ref> | |||
| Apart from the Sikhs and the Rajputs, several other groups in India have also adopted Singh as either a middle name or a surname. Some of these include the Yadavs (e.g. "Mulayam Singh Yadav"), the Bhumihars, the non-Sikh Punjabis, the Gujjars (e.g. "Nirbhay Singh Gujjar"), and the non-Sikh Jats (e.g. "Maharaja Bhim Singh Rana"). | |||
| In the 18th century, several groups started using the title Singh. These included the Brahmins, the Kayasthas and the Baniyas of what are now Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. In the 19th century, even the Bengal court peons of the lower castes also adopted the title Singh.<ref name="Qanungo"/> ]s, who originally used Brahmin surnames, also started affixing Singh to their names.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.ca/books?id=tOXZAAAAMAAJ |title=Community And Caste In Tradition |year=1992 |author=Virendra Prakash Singh |publisher=Commonwealth |page=113 }}</ref> In ] and ], the surname came to associated with power and authority, and was adopted by people of multiple castes, including ] ]s.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-02-21/patna/28055564_1_surnames-caste-identity-kumar-suresh-singh | author = Pranava K Chaudhary | title = Using surnames to conceal identity | publisher = ] | date = 2009-02-21 | accessdate = 2013-01-18 | |||
| Contrary to the popular belief that Singh is only used by ], Singh is used by a wider population from ] & ] to ] and from ] down into ], ] and ] to ] as well as the far eastern states of ], ], ], ] and even ], spanning the entire subcontinent, even reaching ] and ] across the world. It is also found in use among ] of Indian ] origin namely in places of ], ] and ], as well as people of Indian origin found in ] and ]. it is also used by the ] with connection to the royalty. | |||
| }}</ref> ] (]s) also characterized themselves as Kshatriya, and started using Singh part of their name.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.ca/books?id=te4DAAAAMAAJ |title=Bhavan's Journal, Volume 12, Issues 1-16 |year=1965 |page=123 }}</ref> | |||
| People belonging to several other castes and communities have also used Singh as a title, middle name or a surname; these include non-Sikh Punjabis, Gujjars (e.g. ]), Marathas (e.g. ]) and Hindu Jats (e.g. ]). The name is also found among the ]. For example, taking advantage of the fact that there was no reliable way to ascertain a person's caste, many of the low-caste ] brought to ] adopted the surname "Singh", claiming to be high-caste Kshatriyas.<ref>{{cite book|title=The matrifocal family: power, pluralism, and politics|author=Raymond Thomas Smith|publisher=Routledge|year=1996|id= ISBN 978-0-415-91214-3|page=118|isbn=0-415-91214-8 |url=https://books.google.ca/books?id=ITRpAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA118 |page=118 }}</ref> | |||
| The use of Singh in ] as a middle name or last name denotes automatically that they are from the Kshatriya varna and are of the Rajput or ] sub-caste. Original occupation of ], ] and ] was of being warriors and rulers, many families under different circumstances over the centuries intermarried or changed their profession to being farmers, carpenters ] but retained Singh in their name denoting their ancestry and original family genealogy and caste. | |||
| == Usage == | |||
| The earliest recorded examples of the names ending with "Simha" are the names of the two sons of the ] ruler ] in the 2nd century CE.<ref name="Qanungo">{{cite book|last=Qanungo|first=Kalika Ranjan|title=Studies in Rajput History|publisher=]|location=]|year=1960|oclc=1326190|pages=138–140}}</ref> | |||
| Singh is generally used as a surname (e.g. ]) or as a middle name/title (e.g. ]). When used as a middle name, it is generally followed by the caste, clan or family name.<ref>], ''A History of the Sikhs, Volume I''</ref> To avoid being identified by their castes or clans, several Sikhs append "]" to Singh (e.g. ]). Some Sikhs also add the names of their native villages instead (e.g. ], after ]).<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.ca/books?id=4bfmnmsBfQ4C&pg=PA1846 | title=People of India: Maharashtra, Part 3 | publisher=Popular Prakashan, | author=B. V. Bhanu Contributors Kumar Suresh Singh, B. V. Mehta, Anthropological Survey of India | year=2004 | pages=1846 | isbn=9788179911020}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | The first ruler of the ]/] clan who bore the title Simha ruled around 500 CE. The ] branch of the Chalukyas continued using Simha as a last name till the |
||
| Originally, a common practice among the ] men was to have Singh as their last name, while ] women had the last name "Kumari". However, now, many Rajput women have Singh in their name as well.<ref>Kolff, Dirk H.A., ''The Rajput of Ancient and Medieval North India: A Warrior-Ascetic''; Folk, Faith and Feudalism, edited by NK Singh and Rajendra Joshi, Institute of Rajasthan Studies, Jaipur, India. Rawat Publications, Jaipur and New Delhi. ISBN 81-7033-273-7</ref> | |||
| In the 18th century, the non-kshatriya martial tribes, including the Brahmins and the Baniyas of what are now Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, also started using the title Singh in imitation.<ref name="Qanungo"/> In the 19th century, even the Bengal court peons of the lower castes also adopted the title Singh.<ref name="Qanungo"/> | |||
| ⚫ | ==Immigration issues: Common surname== | ||
| The adherents of Sikh faith adopted Singh as a surname in 1699, as per the wish of ], the tenth ].<ref>A History of the Sikh People (1469-1988) by Dr. Gopal Singh ISBN 81-7023-139-6</ref> In the Spring of 1699, on the day of ], Guru Gobind Singh Ji (originally named Guru Gobind Rai Ji), made it mandatory for all Sikh males to ] the name ] Singh after their name (see also ]). | |||
| ⚫ | A section of around a million adherents of Sikhism that live abroad in ] only keep Singh or Kaur as their last name. This has caused legal problems in immigration procedures, especially in ]. For a decade, the ] in ] 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 thing a misunderstanding based on a "poorly worded" letter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com/news/article/240030|title='Singh' ban denounced|date=26 July 2007|work=thestar.com}}</ref> | ||
| Singh/Sinha is used by Sikhs, ]s, ] and Kshatriya communities as either a middle name or a surname. e.g., ], ], ], ] etc. At times, the ] also use Sinha or Singh as a suffix to their first names, e.g. Udaysinh Peshwa, the scion of the ].<ref> | |||
| {{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-06-02/pune/27146334_1_maratha-warrior-king-chhatrapati-shivaji-peshwa-era | work=The Times Of India | title=Shivaji's generals will never fade |date=2 June 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.punemirror.in/article/2/20110618201106180645033084fd3288d/In-PMC-we-don%E2%80%99t-trust.html |title=In PMC we don't trust |work=Pune Mirror }}{{dead link|date=April 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | ==See also== | ||
| The last name "Singh" is in fact used by a wider population from ] ] ] to ] and from ] down into ], ], to ] as well as the far eastern states of ], ], ], ], and even ], spanning the entire subcontinent and even reaching ], where in ], as the ] strove to empower ] after the fall of the ], ] (1777–1849) was a prominent general, and ] ("Lord") Racha Wong Singh governed ], 1815–1823. The name is also found in use among ] of Indian origin namely in places of ], ], and ], as well as people of Indian origin found in ] and ] Island. | |||
| ==Naming patterns== | |||
| 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 and peoples.<ref>], ''A History of the Sikhs, Volume I''</ref> For example, ], ], ], ], and ]. Sikh examples include ],Kirori Singh Bainsala, ], ], ] and ]. 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., ] (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 use the name "Singh" as a middle name with last name as Khalsa, e.g., Avtar Singh Khalsa (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 (1: First Name, 2: Singh, 3: Village/town/country lineage). | |||
| Singh is also used as a surname (last name) (for example, ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]). | |||
| A common practice among the ] men was to have Singh as their last name, while ] women had the last name Kumari (Princess) which is derived from Kunwar (Prince). However, many Rajput women have Singh in their name as well.<ref>Kolff, Dirk H.A., ''The Rajput of Ancient and Medieval North India: A Warrior-Ascetic''; Folk, Faith and Feudalism, edited by NK Singh and Rajendra Joshi, Institute of Rajasthan Studies, Jaipur, India. Rawat Publications, Jaipur and New Delhi. ISBN 81-7033-273-7</ref> Several times during history Rajputs migrated out of ]; many of those who settled in other parts of India have since come to use Singh as their last name even though they belong to separate Rajput ] and clans. This happened over several generations due to the local population preferring to popularly call them just Singh in the new places. This was usually enough to denote that they belonged to the Kshatriya varna and were Hindu Rajput warriors by caste.<ref>Joshi, Rajendra, Feudal Bonds; ''Folk, Faith and Feudalism'', edited by NK Singh and Rajendra Joshi, Institute of Rajasthan Studies, Jaipur, India. Rawat Publications, Jaipur and New Delhi. ISBN 81-7033-273-7</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | ==Immigration issues: Common surname== | ||
| ⚫ | A section of around a million adherents of Sikhism that live abroad in ] only keep Singh or Kaur as their last name. This has caused legal problems in immigration procedures, especially in Canada. For a decade, the ] in ] |
||
| ⚫ | ==See also== | ||
| * ] | |||
| * Narsingh or ], a half-man (''Nar'') and half-lion (''Singh'') incarnation of Vishnu in Hindu religion. | * Narsingh or ], a half-man (''Nar'') and half-lion (''Singh'') incarnation of Vishnu in Hindu religion. | ||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ]is | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| == References == | == References == | ||
| {{reflist| |
{{reflist|2}} | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
Revision as of 18:24, 16 July 2015
Singh /ˈsɪŋ/ is a title, middle name or surname, which originated in India. Derived from the Sanskrit word for lion, it was originally used as a title by the warriors in India. It was later adopted by several castes and communities, including the Sikhs, whose Guru Gobind Singh mandated it for all the baptized males. As a surname or a middle name, it is now found throughout the Indian subcontinent and among the Indian diaspora, cutting across communities and religious groups.
Etymology and variations
The word "Singh" is derived from the Sanskrit word for lion (सिंह siṃha). Several variants of the word are found in other languages:
- In Bengali, the name is written and pronounced as সিংহ (Shing-ho).
- In Hindi, the name is written सिंह (Template:IPA-hi), and pronounced सिंघ ("singh", Template:IPA-hi). Variations include Simha and Sinha in Bihar.
- In Marathi, the name is written and pronounced as सिंह (Sinha).
- In Punjabi (Gurmukhi script), the name is written as ਸਿੰਘ and pronounced as Singh.
- In Gujarati, it is spelled as સિંહ (Sinh). Another variant is Sinhji, the form of Singh used in Gujarat, where the 'g' is dropped and the suffix of respect 'ji' is added.
- In Telugu, the word for lion is simham (సింహం).
- In Malayalam, simham (സിംഹം) means lion in English.
- In Manipuri, the name is written and pronounced as Sinha or Singha.
- In Tamil, the word for lion is Singham, Sinham, Singhan, Sing or Singhe written as சிங்க, also derived from Sanskrit (see Singapore)
- In Sinhalese, the name is written as සිංහ and pronounced as Sinha. The term Sinhalese referring to peoples of Sri Lanka, meaning "Lion Blooded" (Sinha = lion, le = blood). The Sinhalese people are said to be descended from Prince Vijaya (a king who is fabled to have descended from a lion)
- In Burmese, it is spelled သီဟ (thiha), derived from the Pali variant siha.
- Chinese is said to have also derived the word for lion from Buddhist missionaries from India.
- In Thailand, Singha, written as Template:Lang-th with final syllable marked as silent, refers to a mythical lion; the zodiac sign of Leo; a popular brand of beer, Singha; and is frequently used as a place name (for instance, Ban Singh Tha). Singhakhom Template:Lang-th, in which the /ha/ is pronounced, is the Thai solar calendar month of August. Sing Toe Template:Lang-th, which omits /ha/ entirely and adds Thai for big or grown up, refers to the lion. All except "Toe" are of Sanskrit origin.
- In Indonesia and Malaysia, Singa or Singha, means Lion.
History
Originally, the Sanskrit word for lion, variously transliterated as Simha or Singh, was used as a title by Kshatriya warriors in northern parts of India. The earliest recorded examples of the names ending with "Simha" are the names of the two sons of the Saka ruler Rudraraman in the second century CE. The first ruler of the Solanki/Chalukya clan who bore the title Simha ruled around 500 CE. The Vengi branch of the Chalukyas continued using Simha as a last name till the eleventh century. The Rajputs started using Singh in preference to the classical epithet of "Varman". Among the Rajputs, the use of the word Simha came into vogue among the Paramaras of Malwa in 10th century CE, among the Guhilots and the Guhilot of Narwar in the 12th century CE, and the Rathores of Marwar after the 17th century.
By the sixteenth century, "Singh" had become a popular surname among Rajputs. It was adopted by the Sikhs in 1699, as per the instructions of Guru Gobind Singh. Singh is used by all baptized male Sikhs, regardless of their geographical or cultural binding; the females use Kaur.
In the 18th century, several groups started using the title Singh. These included the Brahmins, the Kayasthas and the Baniyas of what are now Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. In the 19th century, even the Bengal court peons of the lower castes also adopted the title Singh. Bhumihars, who originally used Brahmin surnames, also started affixing Singh to their names. In Bihar and Jharkhand, the surname came to associated with power and authority, and was adopted by people of multiple castes, including Brahmin zamindars. Ahir (Yadavs) also characterized themselves as Kshatriya, and started using Singh part of their name.
People belonging to several other castes and communities have also used Singh as a title, middle name or a surname; these include non-Sikh Punjabis, Gujjars (e.g. Nirbhay Singh Gujjar), Marathas (e.g. Pratap Singh Rao Gaekwad) and Hindu Jats (e.g. Bhim Singh Rana). The name is also found among the Indian diaspora. For example, taking advantage of the fact that there was no reliable way to ascertain a person's caste, many of the low-caste Indian indentured labourers brought to British Guiana adopted the surname "Singh", claiming to be high-caste Kshatriyas.
Usage
Singh is generally used as a surname (e.g. Manmohan Singh) or as a middle name/title (e.g. Mahendra Singh Dhoni). When used as a middle name, it is generally followed by the caste, clan or family name. To avoid being identified by their castes or clans, several Sikhs append "Khalsa" to Singh (e.g. Harinder Singh Khalsa). Some Sikhs also add the names of their native villages instead (e.g. Harcharan Singh Longowal, after Longowal).
Originally, a common practice among the Rajput men was to have Singh as their last name, while Rajput women had the last name "Kumari". However, now, many Rajput women have Singh in their name as well.
Immigration issues: Common surname
A section of around a million adherents of Sikhism that live abroad in Western countries only keep Singh or Kaur as their last name. This has caused legal problems in immigration procedures, especially in Canada. For a decade, the Canadian High Commission in New 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 thing a misunderstanding based on a "poorly worded" letter.
See also
- Narsingh or Narasimha, a half-man (Nar) and half-lion (Singh) incarnation of Vishnu in Hindu religion.
References
- Kumar Suresh Singh (1996). Communities, segments, synonyms, surnames and titles. Anthropological Survey of India. p. 32. ISBN 9780195633573.
Going by the usage, Singh is more a title than a surname, cutting across communities and religious groups.
{{cite book}}: More than one of|pages=and|page=specified (help) - Feuerstein, Georg (2002) . The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice. Motilal Banarsidass/Hohm. p. 444. ISBN 81-208-1923-3. OCLC 39013819.
- Vanita, Ruth (2005). Gandhi's tiger and Sita's smile: essays on gender, sexuality and culture. New Delhi: Yoda Press. p. 37. ISBN 978-81-902272-5-4. OCLC 70008421.
- ^ Qanungo, Kalika Ranjan (1960). Studies in Rajput History. Delhi: S. Chand. pp. 138–140. OCLC 1326190.
- Prakash Chander (1 January 2003). India: Past & Present. APH Publishing. p. 120. ISBN 978-81-7648-455-8. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|quoate=ignored (help) - A History of the Sikh People (1469-1988) by Dr. Gopal Singh ISBN 81-7023-139-6
- Catherine B. Asher, Cynthia Talbot (2006). India Before Europe. Cambridge University Press. p. 269. ISBN 9780521809047.
- Virendra Prakash Singh (1992). Community And Caste In Tradition. Commonwealth. p. 113.
- Pranava K Chaudhary (2009-02-21). "Using surnames to conceal identity". The Times of India. Retrieved 2013-01-18.
- Bhavan's Journal, Volume 12, Issues 1-16. 1965. p. 123.
- Raymond Thomas Smith (1996). The matrifocal family: power, pluralism, and politics. Routledge. p. 118. ISBN 0-415-91214-8. ISBN 978-0-415-91214-3.
- Khushwant Singh, A History of the Sikhs, Volume I
- B. V. Bhanu Contributors Kumar Suresh Singh, B. V. Mehta, Anthropological Survey of India (2004). People of India: Maharashtra, Part 3. Popular Prakashan,. p. 1846. ISBN 9788179911020.
{{cite book}}:|author=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Kolff, Dirk H.A., The Rajput of Ancient and Medieval North India: A Warrior-Ascetic; Folk, Faith and Feudalism, edited by NK Singh and Rajendra Joshi, Institute of Rajasthan Studies, Jaipur, India. Rawat Publications, Jaipur and New Delhi. ISBN 81-7033-273-7
- "'Singh' ban denounced". thestar.com. 26 July 2007.