name
Common
Singh
sihng
Singh (name) means a common South Asian surname, especially among Sikhs and in parts of northern India. Example: “Many Sikh men take Singh as part of their name to signify equality.”
name
1
A common South Asian surname, especially among Sikhs and in parts of northern India.
"Many Sikh men take Singh as part of their name to signify equality."
How to use Singh
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA surname meaning "lion", widely used in India and among Sikhs worldwide.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Singh.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Many Sikh men take _____ as part of their name to signify equality.
Etymology
From Hindi/Punjabi सिंघ/ਸਿੰਘ (siṅgh), meaning "lion."
Rhymes for Singh
See all rhymes for Singh →Frequently asked questions
What does “Singh” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “Singh”?
“Singh” is pronounced sihng (/sɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Singh” in a sentence?
Here is “Singh” used in a sentence: “Many Sikh men take Singh as part of their name to signify equality.”
What part of speech is “Singh”?
“Singh” is a name.
Where does the word “Singh” come from?
The word “Singh” comes from Hindi. From Hindi/Punjabi सिंघ/ਸਿੰਘ (siṅgh), meaning "lion.".
Is “Singh” a common word?
“Singh” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Why do many Sikhs have the name Singh?
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.
Is Singh a first name or a surname?
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.
Are all people named Singh Sikhs?
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.
What is the female equivalent of Singh?
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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include Singh:
