Singh

The word “Singh” means a common South Asian surname, especially among Sikhs and in parts of northern India. In plain terms, a surname meaning "lion", widely used in India and among Sikhs worldwide.

“Singh” is pronounced sihng (/sɪŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “Singh” used in a sentence: “Many Sikh men take Singh as part of their name to signify equality.”

“Singh” is a name.

The word “Singh” comes from Hindi. From Hindi/Punjabi सिंघ/ਸਿੰਘ (siṅgh), meaning "lion.".

“Singh” is a fairly common word in modern English.

In Sikh tradition, initiated men adopt the name Singh, from a Sanskrit word meaning "lion", as a shared name expressing equality and community identity. This practice, rooted in the founding of the Khalsa, is why Singh is so widespread among Sikhs today.

Singh is normally a surname or middle name rather than a given first name. Among Sikhs it often functions as a shared family name for men, and in northern India it also appears as a middle name followed by another surname.

No. Singh is especially associated with Sikhs, but it is also a common surname among non-Sikh communities across northern India, including many Hindu families. The name alone does not reliably indicate a person's religion.

In Sikh naming tradition, women adopt the name Kaur where men adopt Singh. So brothers in a Sikh family may carry the name Singh while their sisters carry Kaur.