Singh and Kaur
सिंह / कौर
Singh ('lion') and Kaur ('princess') are the universal surnames adopted by Sikh men and women respectively, instituted by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 to abolish caste distinctions.
In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh Ji established the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib. As part of the Khalsa initiation, he decreed that all male Sikhs would bear the surname Singh (from Sanskrit siṃha, meaning 'lion') and all female Sikhs would bear the surname Kaur (interpreted as 'princess'). This revolutionary act was designed to erase caste-based surnames.
Theological and Social Significance
The Sikh faith fundamentally rejects caste hierarchy. By replacing hereditary caste surnames with universal names denoting courage (Singh) and sovereignty (Kaur), Guru Gobind Singh Ji created a naming system that embodied Sikh egalitarian principles. Notably, Kaur was assigned independently of a woman's marital status, granting Sikh women an identity not derived from father or husband.
Modern Usage and Legal Recognition
Today, Singh and Kaur remain the most common Sikh surnames worldwide, though some Sikh families also retain regional surnames (such as Sidhu, Dhillon, or Sandhu) as additional identifiers. In India, 'Singh' is also widely used by Rajput and other non-Sikh communities. The Indian legal system recognizes Singh and Kaur as valid legal surnames. In diaspora communities, these names serve as immediate markers of Sikh identity and heritage.