Srivastava
An Indian surname associated especially with the Kayastha community and traditionally linked to learned or scholarly ancestry.
The #9,928 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 94,969 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Srivastava is an Indian surname ultimately formed from Sanskrit elements. It is commonly explained as a hereditary family name associated with the Kayastha community, and is often linked in popular etymology to the Sanskrit root for wealth or prosperity, though the exact historical derivation is not fully settled in modern scholarship. In practice, it functions as a traditional clan or family surname rather than a literal descriptive word.
History
The surname is especially common in North India, particularly among Hindi-speaking communities, and many bearers identify it with Kayastha lineage. In modern times it has spread widely through migration within India and to the global diaspora, including the United States and the UK. As with many South Asian surnames, its social and caste associations are historically important, but meanings and usage can vary by family and region.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In the U.S. census, Srivastava is uncommon overall but still numerous enough to appear as a recognizable surname in the national count.