Nepali Names and Surnames List

As the Nepali community grows in our country, you might notice that they have many different looks, making it hard to tell where they're from just by looking at them. Learning common Nepali names and last names is a great way to recognize them more easily. Since Nepali people are known for being incredibly friendly, this knowledge will also help you connect and make new friends. I’ve written this article to help everyone get to know our Nepali neighbors better and enjoy deeper cultural exchanges.

A List of Common and Popular Nepali Names and Surnames

Some surnames are highly concentrated in specific regions. For example, the name 'Pahari' is common in Pokhara, while 'Danai' is frequently found in the Dhading District. This list covers the Nepali names and surnames you are most likely to encounter. You’ll notice that many surnames, when converted to Japanese hiragana, consist of about three characters. The names themselves feel quite different from other East Asian names, but you’ll start to get a feel for their unique rhythm the more you see them. Another distinctive feature is that surnames are often tied to specific ethnic groups (tribes), which means a person’s last name can often tell you their background.

Note: The tribes associated with each surname are based on their original origins. However, since a person’s tribe may change through marriage into another group, they do not always match the original classification.

The Order of Nepali Names and Surnames

In Nepal, names follow the order of First Name, Middle Name, and Surname. Just like in English-speaking countries, the first name comes first. For example, in the name 'Krishna Bhandari,' Krishna is the first name and Bhandari is the surname. While some people have a middle name, others do not.

Naming and Addressing Conventions in Nepal

How to Address Family Members in Nepal

Beyond using first names, it’s common to use family terms as a sign of affection. For example, mothers often address their children as 'Chora' (son) or 'Chori' (daughter). For uncles and aunts, people often use the English words 'Uncle' and 'Aunty,' while brothers address each other as 'Dai' (older brother) and 'Bhai' (younger brother). When speaking to relatives, it’s also common to combine their name with a family title to show respect, such as 'Ram Uncle' for an uncle named Ram.

How to Address Friends in Nepal

In Nepal, close friends are often treated just like family. Because of this, it’s common to address an older male friend as 'Dai' (older brother) and a younger one as 'Bhai' (younger brother). If you are the same age, it’s standard to simply use each other's names.

Honorifics in Nepal

Honorifics do exist in the Nepali language. When speaking to someone you don’t know well, it’s common to add 'Sir' or '-ji' after their name. For example, you would say 'Ram Sir.' This is very similar to how the suffix '-san' is used in Japanese.

Do Nepali People Change Their Last Names When They Get Married?

In Nepal, it is common for a wife to take her husband’s surname after marriage. However, quite a few people choose not to update their names on their official IDs. This is often because the process of renewing documents can be a hassle, or simply because it is socially acceptable for couples to decide what works best for them. In Nepal, a marriage certificate is sufficient to prove a legal marital relationship.

Secret Name - Nwaran Ko Naam

In the case of Nepalese Hindus, there is a "Nwaran Ko Naam" (true name) created by a Hindu priest by combining astrology, the calendar, and the seasons. As the most typical rule, the pronunciation of the name of the month of birth is placed at the beginning of the Nuwarankonamu. For example, if a person is born in the month of Shrawan (July to August) in the Hindu calendar, they must put one of the consonants S, R, or N at the beginning of their name.

It is believed that this Nwaran Ko Naam must not be known by others. The reason is that Nepalese people strongly believe in the existence of witches, demons, and ghosts, so if it is known, it might be used for things like curses. (For example, even modern young people seriously think that they must be careful of ghosts when walking outside at night in rural villages.)

As you can understand from the fact that it is a name that should be hidden, the name on a Nepalese person's official ID is not the Nwaran Ko Naam. The name written on a passport or citizenship card is the formal name used in public. Nwaran Ko Naam is a secret name that only the person and their family have remembered since birth.

This guide has provided a comprehensive overview of Nepali naming conventions, from the meanings of male and female names to the correct name order. Additionally, we explored the various ways to address others in social and family circles, and the customs surrounding surnames after marriage