<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs to be updated . Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information . (September 2017) </Td> </Tr> <P> Indian surnames usually derive from occupational titles or caste distinctions and tend to vary among the wide variety of ethnic groups and cultural regions of India . For example, many common family names in the Dravidian states are rare, or nonexistent, in eastern or northern India, and vice versa . Indian family names also originate from the language spoken in the state or community and depend on the religious affiliation of the family . Hindu family names usually come from Pali, Sanskrit, or Tamil and may contain the name or title of a family deity, whereas Muslim last names are usually derived from Arabic, Persian or Turkish . Family names may also indicate lower or upper caste origin of the family as many surnames are exclusive only to certain social groups . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Rank </Th> <Th> Name </Th> <Th> Meaning </Th> <Th> Total Number (2014) </Th> <Th> Region </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Singh </Td> <Td> Lion </Td> <Td> 36,058,956 </Td> <Td> North India </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Kumar </Td> <Td> Prince </Td> <Td> 31,014,317 </Td> <Td> North India, South India </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Das </Td> <Td> Devotee </Td> <Td> 10,485,481 </Td> <Td> Punjab, East India </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Kaur </Td> <Td> Princess </Td> <Td> 10,382,053 </Td> <Td> Punjab </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 5 </Td> <Td> Mandal </Td> <Td> group </Td> <Td> 8,451,262 </Td> <Td> East India </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 6 </Td> <Td> Ram </Td> <Td> Rama (God) </Td> <Td> 7,412,410 </Td> <Td> South India </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 7 </Td> <Td> Yadav </Td> <Td> Prince / Princess </Td> <Td> 7,061,034 </Td> <Td> Hindi Belt </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 8 </Td> <Td> Kumari </Td> <Td> girl, princess </Td> <Td> 6,280,211 </Td> <Td> North India </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 9 </Td> <Td> Ali </Td> <Td> high, elevated </Td> <Td> 5,796,792 </Td> <Td> Muslims throughout </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 10 </Td> <Td> Lal </Td> <Td> darling, precious, beloved </Td> <Td> 5,751,667 </Td> <Td> Hindi belt, Bengal </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 11 </Td> <Td> Bibi </Td> <Td> Lady </Td> <Td> 5,669,410 </Td> <Td> Muslim women throughout </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 12 </Td> <Td> Khatun </Td> <Td> queen regnant </Td> <Td> 5,510,718 </Td> <Td> Muslim women throughout </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 13 </Td> <Td> Bai </Td> <Td> lady </Td> <Td> 5,401,652 </Td> <Td> Maharashtra </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 14 </Td> <Td> Sharma </Td> <Td> happiness </Td> <Td> 4,887,182 </Td> <Td> East India, North India </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 15 </Td> <Td> Sah </Td> <Td> gentleman </Td> <Td> 4,887,182 </Td> <Td> Central India, North India </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 16 </Td> <Td> Khan </Td> <Td> king </Td> <Td> 4,442,333 </Td> <Td> Muslims throughout </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 17 </Td> <Td> Patel </Td> <Td> one who holds land </Td> <Td> 3,957,109 </Td> <Td> Gujarat </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 18 </Td> <Td> Patil </Td> <Td> chief of the village </Td> <Td> 3,776,738 </Td> <Td> Maharashtra </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 19 </Td> <Td> Rajput </Td> <Td> King </Td> <Td> 3,771,896 </Td> <Td> North India </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Rank </Th> <Th> Name </Th> <Th> Meaning </Th> <Th> Total Number (2014) </Th> <Th> Region </Th> </Tr>

What's the most common indian last name