Jha ( Maithili,

Hindi Modern Standard Hindi (, ), commonly referred to as Hindi, is the Standard language, standardised variety of the Hindustani language written in the Devanagari script. It is an official language of India, official language of the Government ...

and Nepali: '' Jhā'') is a surname of

Maithil Brahmins Maithil Brahmins are the Indo-Aryan Hindu Brahmin community originating from the Mithila region and original inhabitants of Southern Nepal and bordering regions of India that comprises Madhesh Province & some areas of Koshi Province in Nepa ...

native to the

Mithila Mithila may refer to: Places * Mithilā, a synonym for the ancient Videha state ** Mithilā (ancient city), the ancient capital city of Videha * Mithila (region), a cultural region (historical and contemporary), now divided between India and Nepa ...

region of

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

and

Nepal Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is mainly situated in the Himalayas, but also includes parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China Ch ...

. Notable people with the name include:

A–B

Acharya Rameshwar Jha Acharya Rameshwar Jha (20th century) was an Indian traditional Sanskrit scholar and considered an authority on Nyaya, Vyakarana and Vedanta. He later became an exponent of non dualistic shaivisim and is often credited with establishing and prop ...

, Sanskrit scholar *

Aditya Jha Aditya Jha is a Nepalese Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist and social activist. A globetrotter, his business portfolio consists of several startups and companies turnarounds with interests in Canada, Nepal, Thailand and India. He also runs ...

, Indo-Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist * Aditya Narayan Jha, Indian singer, host, actor * Aditya Nath Jha (1911–1972), Indian Civil Service, recipient of the Padma Vibhushan * Ajay Jha (1956–2013), Indian cricketer *

Amardeep Jha Amardeep Jha is an Indian actress and television personality. Personal life Jha lost her husband very early in her married life and her daughter Shriya Jha is an actress. Career Jha began her profession with the serial ''Amanat (Indian TV se ...

(born 1960), Indian film and television actress *

Amarnath Jha Amaranath Jha (25 February 1897 – 2 September 1955) was the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Allahabad and the Banaras Hindu University. He was the son of Mahamahopadhyay Dr. Sir Ganganath Jha, a great scholar of Sanskrit Amaranat ...

(c. 1888–1947) Indian academic, university Vice Chancellor * Amishi Jha, American neuroscientist and professor of psychology *

Anshuman Jha Anshuman Jha is an Indian actor who works in Hindi films and theatre. He is known for his role in '' Love Sex Aur Dhokha''. He had been rated as one of the "Top Ten Bollywood Actors of 2010" by Rediff. He appeared in films such as '' Yeh Hai ...

(born 1986), Indian actor * Anuranjan Jha (born 1977), Indian journalist * Anurita Jha (born 1986), Indian actress *

Apoorvanand Jha Apoorvanand Jha is professor at the Hindi Department, Faculty of Arts, University of Delhi. He has worked on Marxism in Hindi. He is also a regular columnist and political commentator. Early life and education Apoorvanand was born in Muzaffar ...

, Indian professor of Hindi *

Ashish Jha Ashish Kumar Jha (born December 31, 1970) is an Indian-American general internist physician and academic who served as the White House COVID-19 response coordinator from 2022–2023. He has been Dean of the Brown University School of Public Hea ...

, Dean of

Brown University School of Public Health The Brown University School of Public Health is the public health school of Brown University, a private research university in Rhode Island. It is located along the Providence River, down the hill and about a quarter mile from Brown's central ...

* Bedanand Jha (died 2006), Nepalese politician * Bhogendra Jha (died 2009), Indian politician *

Bidhu Jha Bidhu Shekhar Jha (born August 4, 1942) is a Canadian politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 2003 to 2016, representing the Winnipeg division of Radisson as a member of the New Democratic Par ...

(born 1942), Canadian politician *

Binodanand Jha Binodanand Jha (17 April 1900 – 1971), also known as Pandit Binodanand Jha was an Indian politician originally from the district of Deoghar, Bihar (Baidyanathdham Deoghar), now in Jharkhand. He was educated at the Central Calcutta College, ( ...

(born 1900), Indian politician, Chief Minister of Bihar

C–N

Chandeshwor Jha Chandeshwor Jha () (born 1953) is a Nepali politician from Mohattori. He is a permanent resident of Jaleshwor Municipality Ward 7. In the 2013 Constituent Assembly election he was elected from the Mohattori-4 constituency as an independe ...

, Nepalese politician * D. N. Jha (born c. 1940), Indian historian and professor *

Durgananda Jha Durgananda Jha () was a Nepalese democratic fighter who attempted to assassinate King Mahendra of Nepal in January 1962 (9 Magh 2018 BS) in Janakpur in southeastern Nepal. Durga was captured after he threw a bomb on a motor-vehicle carrying the ...

(1941–1963), Nepalese failed assassin *

Ganganath Jha Mahamahopadhyaya Sir Gaṅgānāth Jhā (25 December 1872 – 9 November 1941) was a scholar of Sanskrit, Indian philosophy and Buddhist philosophy. He is considered to have probably translated more Sanskrit philosophical texts than any o ...

(1842–1971), Sanskrit and philosophy scholar from Bihar *

Gonu Jha Gonu Jha was a ''"Pratyutpannamati"'' (ready-witted) character and a contemporary of King of Mithila in the 13th century CE. Renowned for his sharp wit, intelligence, and sense of humor, he is often referred to as the "Birbal of Bihar," drawing p ...

(13th century), Indian wit character *

Hetukar Jha Hetukar Jha (5 March 1944 – 19 August 2017) was an Indian author, professor, researcher, and Fulbright Scholar. He was an honorary managing trustee of the Maharajadhiraja Kameshwar Singh Kalyani Foundation. Early life and family Jha was bor ...

(born 1944), Indian author and professor of sociology * Kamal Nath Jha (1923–2003), Indian freedom fighter, social activist, and politician *

Kanak Jha Kanak Jha ( ; born June 19, 2000) is an American table tennis player. He is a three-time Olympian (2016, 2020, and 2024), and was the US national champion five times, winning the national title between 2016 and 2019 for a record four straight na ...

two-time Olympian (2016 and 2020) and was the 4 times US national champion

Table Tennis Table tennis (also known as ping-pong) is a racket sport derived from tennis but distinguished by its playing surface being atop a stationary table, rather than the Tennis court, court on which players stand. Either individually or in teams of ...

player * Kanchinath Jha "Kiran" (1906–1989), Indian Maithili-language writer *

Kaveri Jha Kaveri Jha is an Indian model, film actress and flight attendant. She works in Hindi and Telugu language films. Early life Jha was born in Bihar. Her family had to move frequently as her father is an Indian government employee. She went on to ...

(born 1983), Indian film actress * Komal Jha (born 1987), Indian film actress * Kranti Prakash Jha, Indian film actor *

Lakshmi Kant Jha Lakshmi Kant Singh, MBE (22 November 1913 – 16 January 1988), born in Darbhanga district, Bihar was the eighth Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 1 July 1967 to 3 May 1970. Education and career Lakshmi Kant Jha was born into a Mai ...

(1913–1988), Governor of the Reserve Bank of India *

Manish Jha Manish Jha is an Indian film writer and director, known for the film ''Matrubhoomi.'' Early life and education Born in Dhamaura, in the West Champaran district of Bihar, Jha grew up in Delhi where he had moved at an early age. He did his grad ...

(born 1978), Indian film director and screenwriter * Manoj Kumar Jha, an Indian politician * Nagendra Nath Jha (born 1935), Indian diplomat and lieutenant governor *

Narendra Jha Narendra Jha (21 January 1964 14 March 2018) was an Indian actor. He was known for his work in Bollywood productions; his most noted films being '' Haider'', '' Raees'', '' Ghayal Once Again'', ''Hamari Adhuri Kahani'', ''Mohenjodaro'', '' Sh ...

(1964–2018), Indian television actor *

Nidhi Jha Nidhi Jha (18 October 1988) is an Indian actress who works in Hindi television serials and Bhojpuri language films. She has appeared in ''Balika Vadhu'', '' Crime Patrol'', '' Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke'', ''Adaalat'', '' Encounter'', ''Beinteh ...

, Indian television actress

P–R

Pankaj Jha Pankaj Jha is an Indian actor, painter, writer and director. His filmography includes ''Black Friday (2004 film), Black Friday'', ''Gulaal (film), Gulaal'', ''Chameli (film), Chameli'', ''Anwar (2007 film), Anwar'' and ''Matrubhoomi''. He is k ...

, Indian actor *

Parmanand Jha Parmanand Jha (; born 1946) is a Nepali politician who served as the first vice president of Nepal from 23 July 2008 to 31 October 2015 following his term as a Supreme Court judge. Jha was born to Nepali parents and brought Bihar in Darbhang ...

(born 1946), Nepalese politician, Vice President of Nepal *

Piyush Jha Piyush Jha is a film director, screenwriter, author and series creator from India. Early life Piyush Jha was born in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. He did all his schooling in Mumbai, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Psychology at the University ...

, Indian director and screenwriter * Prabhat Jha (epidemiologist) (born 1965), Indian-Canadian epidemiologist and health economist *

Prabhat Jha (politician) Prabhat Jha (4 June 1957 – 26 July 2024) was an Indian politician. He had been a member of the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh state in India. He was the Madhya Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party President in 2010 until December 2012. He was the N ...

(born 1957), Indian MP and National Vice President of Bharatiya Janata Party *

Prakash Jha Prakash Jha (born 27 February 1952) is an Indian film producer, actor, director and screenwriter, mostly known for his political and socio-political films such as ''Hip Hip Hurray (film), Hip Hip Hurray'' (1984), ''Damul'' (1984), ''Mrityudand ...

(born 1952), Indian film producer, director and screenwriter *

Prayag Jha Prayag Jha Chillar, also known as Prayag Jha, is a contemporary Indian artist who specializes in etching. Her works are kept in collections all over India, including the National Gallery of Modern Art in the capital, New Delhi. Jha's work has bee ...

(born 1945), Indian artist specializing in etching * Prem Shankar Jha (born 1938), Indian journalist, author and columnist * Radhanandan Jha (1929–2005), Indian politician from the Congress Party *

Radhika Jha Radhika Jha (born 1970) is an Indian novelist who won the French Prix Guerlain award in 2002 for her first novel, ''Smell''. Early life Jha was born in New Delhi in 1970 and grew up in Mumbai. She lived in Tokyo for 6 years and thoroughly imm ...

(born 1970), Indian novelist *

Raghunath Jha Raghunath Jha (9 August 1939 – 15 January 2018) was an Indian politician who was Union minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprise and member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. He represented the Bettiah constituency of Bihar ...

(born 1939), Indian politician *

Raj Kamal Jha Raj Kamal Jha (born 1966) is an Indian newspaper editor and novelist writing in English. He currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of ''The Indian Express''. He has written six novels that have been translated into more than 12 languages. His ...

(born 1966), Indian novelist and journalist * Rajeev Jha (born 1976), Nepalese politician and General Secretary of Nepal Sadbhavana Party * Ramashreya Jha (1928–2009), Indian composer and teacher of Hindustani classical music *

Ramesh Chandra Jha Ramesh Chandra Jha(8 May 1928 – 7 April 1994) was an Indian poet, novelist and freedom fighter. Son of a senior Gandhian and freedom fighter Lakshmi Narayan Jha, who also contributed in Indian Freedom Struggle from Bihar. His maternal grand ...

(1928–1994), Indian poet, novelist and freedom fighter

S–V

* Sanjay Jha (born 1963), Indian businessman and CEO *

Sanjeev Jha Sanjeev Jha is an Indian politician belonging to the Aam Aadmi Party. He is now a member of the Delhi Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Burari Constituency. Sanjeev is also the incharge of Chhattisgarh and Spokesperson of the Aam Aadmi Party. ...

(born 1979), Indian politician *

Saurav Jha Saurav Jha is an Indian economic analyst, author, and commentator on geostrategic affairs. His first book, ''The Upside Down Book of Nuclear Power'', was published by HarperCollins in March 2010 and it was translated into several Indian langu ...

, Indian commentator on energy and security *

Shriya Jha Shriya Jha (10 June) is an Indian film and television actress who has acted in Telugu, Odia and Bengali films. She is the daughter of actress Amardeep Jha. She has played the lead character in Rajshri Productions' Hindi serial '' Jhilmil Sita ...

(born 1986), Indian film and television actress * Shubhashish Jha (born 8th March 1991), Indian television actor * Sriram Jha (born 1976), Indian chess grandmaster *

Sriti Jha Sriti Jha (born 26 February 1986) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi television. Jha earned wider recognition with her portrayal of Pragya Arora Mehra in '' Kumkum Bhagya''. She is a recipient of several accolades including two ...

(born 1986), Indian television actress * Subhash K. Jha (born 1959), Indian film critic, journalist, editor and film trade analyst * Sudhanshu Shekhar Jha (born 1940), Indian condensed matter physicist *

Surendra Jha 'Suman' Surendra Jha 'Suman' (10 October 1910 – 5 March 2002), also referred to as 'Suman Ji' or Acharya Surendra Jha 'Suman', was a Maithili poet, writer, publisher, editor and elected member of legislative assembly and parliament. He is also known ...

(1910–2002), Indian Maithili-language poet * Suvarna Jha, Indian television actress *

Tarakant Jha Tarakant Jha (1927–2014) was chairperson of the Bihar Legislative Council. He was a leader of Bharatiya Jan Sangh and later of Bharatiya Janata Party. In early 2014 he joined Janata Dal (United) party. Jha was a senior lawyer A lawyer is ...

(1927–2014), Indian chairperson of the Bihar Legislative Council *

Udit Narayan Jha Udit Narayan Jha (born 1 December 1955) is an Nepali and Indian playback singer whose songs have been featured mainly in Hindi cinema, Hindi films. He has also sung in various other languages including Telugu language, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil ...

(born 1955),

Bollywood Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood and formerly as Bombay cinema, is primarily produced in Mumbai. The popular term Bollywood is a portmanteau of "Bombay" (former name of Mumbai) and "Cinema of the United States, Hollywood". The in ...

playback singer *

Vartika Jha Vartika Jha (born 8 April 2000) is an Indian choreographer, dancer, and actress. She was a contestant and runner-up in Star Plus's dance reality show '' Dance Plus (season 4)'' in 2018. She has since established herself as one of India's most po ...

(born 2000), Indian dancer, choreographer and actress * Vikas Kumar Jha, Indian journalist and author * Vinay Kumar Jha (born 1971), Nepalese cricket umpire {{surname Surnames of Hindu origin Surnames of Indian origin Surnames of Nepalese origin Culture of Bihar Bihari-language surnames Mithila Culture of Mithila