Shrestha
A South Asian surname and honorific family name most strongly associated with Nepali speakers, originally tied to the idea of being excellent or noble.
The #6,180 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 55,781 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Shrestha comes from Sanskrit shrestha, meaning “श्रेष्ठ,” or “श्रेष्ठ,” in the sense of “श्रेष्ठ” and more broadly “best,” “excellent,” or “superior.” In Nepali and related South Asian naming traditions, it has been used as a hereditary surname and as a status-linked family name. The form reflects a prestige term rather than an occupational label, and in some contexts it functioned historically as a title or honorific.
History
The surname is especially common among Nepali-speaking communities, particularly in Nepal and among the Nepali diaspora. It is also found among people of Newar background, where it has long been used as a respected family name. In modern usage it is widespread enough to appear in immigration and diaspora records well beyond South Asia.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In Devanagari, the underlying Sanskrit word is written श्रेष्ठ, a term that literally means “the best” or “most excellent.”