Surname Poonja/Punja - Meaning and Origin
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Poonja/Punja: What does the surname Poonja/Punja mean?
The last name Poonja/Punja is an Indian last name originating from the southern state of Karnataka. It is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word “punj which means "river". Punja is also used as a title or surname for those associated with certain religious groups.
The name is also found among families of the villages in other parts of India, especially in the state of Gujarat and Rajasthan. It is a name that is associated with honor and respected among the Indian community.
Poonja or Punja is also a name associated with many renowned spiritual teachers and saints of India. The name is also associated with some of the great warrior clans of South India such as the Cholas, Pandyas, and Chera Kingdoms.
In general, Poonja or Punja is a name given to someone who is considered to be wise and respectful. It is viewed as a name showing respect for one’s ancestors and having a strong spiritual and religious connection. The name is also associated with honor and courage, and is often given to individuals who have served with distinction in the armed forces. It is also a popular last name among those from the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
Order DNA origin analysisPoonja/Punja: Where does the name Poonja/Punja come from?
Poonja/Punja is a surname originating from the north Indian state of Punjab. It is a common name among families of Punjabi descent in India and Pakistan.
Despite Indian and Pakistani populations spread across the world, most Punjabis choose to remain close to their roots. Because of this, the Poonja/Punja surname is most commonly found in border states such as Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir in India, as well as Punjab and Kashmir in Pakistan. It is estimated that around 30% of people in these states have this surname.
In terms of the diaspora, Punjabi families who have settled in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and other countries will also likely still have this surname. As the Sikh religion is heavily represented amongst Punjabi families, a search for Poonja/Punja will also return a large number of Sikh families.
The popularity of this last name is also likely to be seen amongst families who have settled in countries with large Indian populations, such as Mauritius, Fiji, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago.
In conclusion, whilst the surname Poonja/Punja is most common in the states of Punjab and Kashmir, it is still commonplace in other regions of India and Pakistani, as well as the diaspora. As a result, it can be found in most areas with large Indian and Pakistani populations.
Variations of the surname Poonja/Punja
The surname Poonja/Punja is a common Indian name originating from Gujarat state in India. The surname is derived from the word ‘Puja’, meaning ‘worship’ or ‘adoration’, and it is used by some as a substitute spelling for the name ‘Punjabi’, the name of a tribe from Punjab state. Different spellings and variations of this surname have been adopted in India, Pakistan and the UK.
Variations of Poonja/Punja include Punja, Punjabi, Punjah, Punahi, Poona, Poonj, Pounja, Poonawala, Poonawalla, Punjabi-Poonja, Punawala and Punawalla. All of these are believed to have the same origin, although some of them may have slightly different meanings.
In some cases, the surname Poonja/Punja may be changed to alternate spellings and other surnames, due to change in dialects or local customs and practices. In Pakistan, the surname may be seen as Pahnjee and Panjwani, and in the UK, it may also be seen as Ponjee or Punjee. In some cases, it is spelled as Ponniah, with the same origin.
Generally, the surname Poonja/Punja is one of the many derived from the word Puja, meaning worship or adoration. Although the spellings and names may differ from place to place, all of the variants are believed to have the same origin.
Famous people with the name Poonja/Punja
- Pap walli Poonja: better known as Papa Ram Dass: was a Hindu guru, spiritual teacher, and author.
- Anil Poonja: is a former Indian cricketer who played in four Tests and three ODIs from 1983 to 1984.
- Shivshankar Poonja: was an Indian spiritual teacher and a guru.
- Visalakshi Poonja: was an Indian spiritual teacher who was an ardent devotee of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
- Gaurav Poonja: is an Indian actor who has appeared in Hindi films.
- Arjun Poonja: is an Indian film and television actor.
- Thejo Kote K. Poonja: is a sociologist and an environmental thinker from Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India.
- Pratibha Poonja: is an Indian film and television actress who has worked in Tamil and Telugu language films.
- Thrishul Poonja: is an Indian actor who appeared in Kannada films and TV serials.
- Shilpa Poonja: is a Kannada TV Actress who has made her television debut with TV series 'Kavyanjali'.
- Rekha Poonja: is an Indian television actress.
- Surya Poonja: is an Indian actor and director, best known for his critically acclaimed role of Jaanu Mukhi in the comedy-drama film College Days.