Joshi
A South Asian surname usually meaning “astronomer,” “astrologer,” or “scholar,” originally tied to learned Brahmin communities.
The #3,542 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 30,602 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Joshi comes from South Asian languages ultimately connected with Sanskrit jyotishi, meaning an astrologer or astronomer, from jyotis, “light” or “heavenly body.” In many Indian naming traditions it became a hereditary surname used by families associated with learning, ritual, or astrological expertise, especially within Brahmin communities. The exact pronunciation and spelling can vary by region and language, but the core sense is that of a learned practitioner connected with the stars.
History
The surname is especially common in western and northern India, including Marathi-, Gujarati-, and Hindi-speaking communities. It spread more widely through migration from South Asia to East Africa, the United Kingdom, North America, and elsewhere. In modern use it functions primarily as a hereditary family name rather than a literal occupational title.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Because it is linked to jyotishi, the name is etymologically related to Indian traditions of astrology and calendrical calculation.