Joshi is a surname used by the Brahmin (caste) in India and Nepal. Joshi is also sometimes spelled as Jyoshi. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word ''Jyotishi'' meaning "astrologer" or a person who practices ''

jyotisha Jyotisha or Jyotishya (from Sanskrit ', from ' “light, heavenly body" and ''ish'' - from Isvara or God) is the traditional Hindu system of astrology, also known as Hindu astrology, Indian astrology and more recently Vedic astrology. It is one ...

''. ''Jyotisha'' refers to Hindu astrology and astronomy and is derived from ''jyotish'' ("light bringer or reflect light like sun").James Lochtefeld (2002), "Jyotisha" in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 1: A–M, Rosen Publishing, , pages 326–327 Joshi is a common family name in Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh,

Maharashtra Maharashtra (; , abbr. MH or Maha) is a states and union territories of India, state in the western India, western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. Maharashtra is the List of states and union te ...

, Odisha, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Goa and Uttar Pradesh in India and Nepal. In Kathmandu valley, the surname Joshi is used by Newar Srēṣṭhas.

Notable individuals

Politicians, civil servants and military

Alok Joshi Alok Joshi was the former Secretary of Research and Analysis Wing. Biography Hailing from Lucknow, he graduated from Jawaharlal Nehru University, (JNU), completed his postgraduation in political science and then joined the Indian Police Serv ...

, Indian police officer and intelligence agency chief *

A. C. Joshi Amar Chand Joshi (18 September 1908 – 14 February 1971), also known as A. C. Joshi, was an Indian botanist and academic administrator, who served as the Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University, Chandigarh, India; and the Vice-Chancellor of Ban ...

(1908–1971), Indian botanist and Civil Service officer * Banwari Lal Joshi (1936–2017), Indian civil servant and state governor * Bhanu Bhakta Joshi, Nepalese politician * Bhojraj Joshi, Nepalese politician * General

B.C. Joshi General Bipin Chandra Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, ADC (5 December 1935 – 19 November 1994) was the 17th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army. He is the only Chief of the Indian Army to die in office, and until the 2021 death of General ...

(1935–1994), Chief of the Indian Army *

C. P. Joshi Dr. C. P. Joshi (born 29 July 1950) is an Indian politician. He was born in a Brahmin family in Nathdwara, Rajasthan and he is a member of the Indian National Congress. He is the current Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly. Previousl ...

, Indian politician (Indian National Congress), former Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Govt. of India * Devendra Kumar Joshi, Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy *

Govinda Raj Joshi Govinda Raj Joshi is a Nepalese politician. Govinda Raj Joshi was born in 1949 at Khalte village in Rupakot Village Development Committee of Tanahun district, Nepal, He stepped into the field of politics in 1964 when he had just begun his stude ...

, Nepalese politician (Nepali Congress) and former Minister * Hari Dev Joshi, 11th, 16th and 18th Chief Minister Of Rajasthan *

Hora Prasad Joshi Hora Prasad Joshi (Nepali: होराप्रसाद जोशी; 1925-2010) was a Nepali political figure who was crucial in shaping the politics of modern Nepali government. He was the Home Minister in B.P. Koirala's Nepali Congress, a so ...

, Nepalese politician * Manohar Joshi, 12th Chief Minister of Maharashtra *

Murli Manohar Joshi Murli Manohar Joshi (born 5 January 1934) is an Indian politician. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of which he was the President between 1991 and 1993, and the former Member of Parliament for Kanpur parliamentary constitue ...

, Indian politician (Bharatiya Janta Party), chairman, Public Accounts Committee of the parliament * Nabindra Raj Joshi, Nepali politician * Pralhad Joshi, Indian politician (BJP) *

Puran Chand Joshi Puran Chand Joshi (14 April 1907 – 9 November 1980), one of the early leaders of the communist movement in India. He was the general secretary of the Communist Party of India from 1935 to 1947. Early years Joshi was born on 14 April 1907, i ...

, Indian communist leader *

Rita Bahuguna Joshi Rita Bahuguna Joshi (born 22 July 1949) is an Indian politician and was cabinet minister in the Government of Uttar Pradesh. She was the president of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee from 2007 to 2012. She is the daughter of Hemwati Na ...

, Indian politician (BJP) *

Sharad Anantrao Joshi Sharad Anantrao Joshi (3 September 1935 – 12 December 2015) was an Indian politician who founded the Swatantra Bharat Paksh party and ''Shetkari Sanghatana'' (farmers' Organisation), He was also a Member of the Parliament of India representin ...

, Indian agricultural activist and politician (Shetkari Sanghatana) * Lieutenant General Yogesh Kumar Joshi, Indian army, Chief of staff of Northern army command

Writers, educators and scholars

Anandi Gopal Joshi Dr. Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi (31 March 1865 – 26 February 1887) was the first Indian female doctor of western medicine. She was the first woman from the erstwhile Bombay presidency of India to study and graduate with a two-year degree in west ...

(1865–1887), first Indian woman to be awarded a western medicine degree * Angur Baba Joshi (1932–2020), Nepalese scholar, first female School Principal of Nepal * Anupam Joshi, American cybersecurity expert and Professor and Chair of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at the University of Maryland * Aravind Joshi, Professor of Computer and Cognitive Science at the University of Pennsylvania * Arun Joshi, Indian novelist *

Chintaman Vinayak Joshi Chintaman Vinayak Joshi (Devanagari: चिंतामण विनायक जोशी) (19 January 1892 - 21 November 1963) was a Marathi humorist and a researcher in Pali literature. He hailed from Maharashtra, India, and was popularly k ...

, Marathi humorist, author of "Chimanrao" series of books * Girija Prasad Joshi, Nepalese Newari language writer *

Indra Joshi Indra Joshi is a British physician who is Director of Artificial Intelligence for NHSX and a founding ambassador of One HealthTech. She supports NHSx with digital health initiatives in the National Health Service in England. During the COVID ...

, British physician *

Lakshman Shastri Joshi "Tarkateertha" Lakshman Shastri Joshi (27 January 1901 – 27 May 1994) was an Indian scholar, of Sanskrit, Hindu Dharma, and a Marathi literary critic, and supporter of Indian independence. Mahatma Gandhi chose him to be his principal ad ...

, Indian scholar of Sanskrit, Hindu Dharma, and a Marathi literary critic * Mahadevshastri Joshi, Marathi writer * Mangal Raj Joshi, Nepalese royal astrologer * Manohar Shyam Joshi, post-modern Hindi writer and Father of Indian soap operas * Prasoon Joshi, Hindi lyricist *

Prem Lal Joshi Prem Lal Joshi (born 1952) is an Indian educationalist, scholar, author and writer for over four decades and has worked in several countries. He has worked as a Professor of Accounting (2013-19) at the Multimedia University, Cyberjaya, Malaysia. ...

, Indian research scholar of Accounting and writer * Ramlal Joshi, Nepalese author and writer * Ruchir Joshi, author and filmmaker *

S. T. Joshi Sunand Tryambak Joshi (born June 22, 1958) is an American literary critic whose work has largely focused on weird and fantastic fiction, especially the life and work of H. P. Lovecraft and associated writers. Career His literary criticis ...

, Indian-American editor, critic, and scholar *

Satya Mohan Joshi ''Satya'' (Sanskrit: सत्य; IAST: ''satya)'' is a Sanskrit word loosely translated as truth, essence. A. A. Macdonell, ''Sanskrit English Dictionary'', Asian Educational Services, , pp. 330–331 It also refers to a virtue in Indian rel ...

(1920–2022), Nepalese author and writer, first recipient of Madan Puraskar *

Sharad Joshi Sharad Joshi was an Indian poet, writer, satirist and a dialogue and scriptwriter in Hindi films and television. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1990. Biography Early life and education Sharad Joshi was born on 21 May 1931 in Ujjain, Madhya ...

, Hindi writer and satirist, Padma Shri awardee *

Shekhar Joshi Shekhar Joshi (10 September 1932 – 4 October 2022) was an Indian Hindi author, who was also known for his insight into the culture, traditions and lifestyles of people of Uttarakhand. With Shailesh Matiyani, he created a composite image of e ...

, Hindi author * Shukraraj Shastri (born Shukra Raj Joshi), Nepalese author, social reformer and political martyr *

Suresh Joshi Suresh Hariprasad Joshi ( gu, સુરેશ હરિપ્રસાદ જોષી) was an Indian novelist, short-story writer, literary critic, poet, translator, editor and academic in the Gujarati language. Along with his teaching career, h ...

, Gujarati poet, writer and literary critic *

Sushma Joshi Sushma Joshi ( ne, सुष्मा जोशी) is a Nepali writer, filmmaker based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Her fiction and non-fiction deal with Nepal's civil conflict, as well as stories of globalization, migration and diaspora. ''End of the W ...

, Nepalese writer and filmmaker * Umashankar Joshi, Gujarati poet

Artists and performers

* Aashirman DS Joshi, Nepalese actor *

Anshuman Joshi Anshuman Joshi is an Indian actor who works in Marathi language films. He began his career with the movie ''Shala'' in 2011. He later acted in the Malayalam movie '' Thankam'' in 2023. The name of his character was also Anshuman Joshi. He pl ...

, Marathi actor *

Ayushman Joshi Ayushman Desraj Shrestha Joshi is a Nepalese Model/TV host turned Actor. He is married to Nepalese film actress Priyanka Karki DS Joshi. Early life Joshi was born on 17 December 1993 to Bhavendra Man Joshi and financial CEO Raveena Desraj ...

, Nepalese actor * Bhimsen Joshi, Bharat Ratna, vocalist of Hindustani classical music *

Chetan Joshi Chetan Joshi is a noted flautist in the Hindustani Music, Hindustani classical music tradition. He was born in Jharia and brought up at Noamundi and Bokaro Steel City. He was trained under Late Acharya Jagadish (Bokaro), Late Pandit Bholanath Pr ...

, flautist * Damayanti Joshi, Kathak dancer and guru * Dev Joshi, Indian television actor. * Dilip Joshi (born 1969), Hindi and Gujarati actor *

Gajananrao Joshi Gajanan Anant Joshi, better known as "Gajananbuwa Joshi", (January 30, 1911 – June 28, 1987) was a vocalist and violinist in the field of Hindustani music. Early life and background Gajananrao Joshi came from a family of musicians. His gra ...

, violinist and vocalist Hindustani classical music * Gayatri Joshi, Indian Actress *

Gulki Joshi Gulki Joshi is an Indian television actress best known for portraying S.H.O. Haseena Malik in Sony SAB's '' Maddam Sir''. Career She was first seen in Zee TV's '' Phir Subah Hogi'' and in Life OK's ''Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja''. She also por ...

(born 1980), Indian television actress *

Indira Joshi __NOTOC__ Indira may refer to: People * Indira (name) Films and books * ''Indira'', an 1873 novella by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee * ''Indira'' (film), directed by Suhasini Manirathnam * ''Indira'' (1989 film), a Hindi film (Hema malini as Indir ...

, Nepali singer and model * Malina Joshi, Nepali beauty pageant and model * Manoj Joshi (born 1945), Gujarati, Marathi and Hindi Actor *

Manasi Joshi Roy Manasi Joshi Roy is an Indian film and television actress known for her roles in '' Saaya'', '' Gharwali Uparwali'' and '' Kkusum''. She is the wife of actor Rohit Roy, sister of actor Sharman Joshi and daughter of Gujarati theatre actor Arvin ...

(born 1968), Indian television actress *

Nivedita Joshi Nivedita Joshi-Saraf ( Joshi; born 10 January 1965) is an Indian actress who works in Marathi and Hindi language films and television serials. She is married to actor Ashok Saraf. Joshi-Saraf has played Asawari in the Marathi-language serial ...

, Marathi actress * Pallavi Joshi (born 1969), Indian Actress, winner of National award for the film ''Woh Chokri'' * Poonam Joshi (born 23 October 1970), Indian television actress * Prasoon Joshi (born September 1971), Indian lyricist * Purbi Joshi (born 1974), Indian actress *

Rohan Joshi Rohan Joshi is a YouTuber. He was one of the key people of the creative agency ''All India Bakchod''. Joshi scripted and starred in several YouTube sketches for ''All India Bakchod'', was one of the co-creators of the satirical news comedy show ...

Indian Stand-up comedian, performer *

Santosh Joshi Pandit Santosh Joshi (born July 2, 1960) is an Indian vocalist in the Hindustani classical music, Hindustani classical tradition. He is a member of the Joshi Gharana, a branch of the Lucknow gharana (tabla), Lucknow tabla gharana. He is known f ...

, vocalist of Hindustani classical music * Sharman Joshi (born 1979), Bollywood actor *

Shikha Joshi Shikha Joshi was an Indian actress, model, and classical dancer. Sexual molestation allegation Joshi had alleged Dr. Vijay Sharma, who had performed a breast implant surgery on her in 2006, sexually exploited her in 2011. The doctor had gone m ...

(1976-2015), Indian actress who committed suicide *

Shivangi Joshi Shivangi Joshi (born 18 May 1998) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi television. She made her acting debut with ''Khelti Hai Zindagi Aankh Micholi'' portraying Trisha in 2013. Joshi is best known for her portrayal of dual role Na ...

(born 1995), Indian television actress * Spruha Joshi, Marathi actress *

Swwapnil Joshi Swapnil Joshi (Marathi pronunciation: ʋəpniːl d͡ʒoʃiː is an Indian film and television actor, in Hindi and Marathi languages. At nine years old, he appeared in the Ramanand Sagar show '' Uttar Ramayan''. He has done some of the most su ...

(born 1977), Marathi actor * Tulip Joshi, Indian Actress, model * V Joshi, (AKA Joshiy) Indian director known for his

Malayalam film Malayalam cinema is an Indian cinema, Indian film industry of Malayalam-language motion pictures. It is based in Kochi, Kerala, India. The films produced in Malayalam cinema are known for their cinematography and story-driven plots. In 1982, ...

s * Vinayak Joshi, Kannada actor

Sports

Aniruddha Joshi Aniruddha Joshi (born 7 November 1987) is an Indian cricketer. He made his List A debut for Karnataka in the 2015–16 Vijay Hazare Trophy on 10 December 2015. In January 2018, he was bought by the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2018 IPL au ...

, Indian cricketer * Harshvardhan Joshi, Indian mountaineer *

Naresh Joshi Naresh Joshi is a former Nepal international footballer. He holds the record as he is first and only hat trick scorer for Nepal in SAFF Championship. Naresh Joshi scored 3 goals in Nepal's 3–2 victory against Sri Lanka which helped Nepal to pro ...

, Nepalese football *

Sunil Joshi Sunil Bandacharya Joshi (; born 6 June 1970) is an Indian former cricketer and former selector of the India cricket team. He played as an all-rounder who bowled slow left arm spin and batted left-handed. Sunil Joshi was appointed as chief sel ...

, cricketer who played for India national cricket team as a left arm spinner in one day internationals and test match cricket *

Sunil Lal Joshi Sunil Lal Joshi (30 May 1964 – 25 June 2017) was a Nepalese weightlifter from Kathmandu. Joshi represented Nepal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, where he competed in the men's super-heavyweight category. Athletic career At the ...

, Nepali Olympic weightlifter *

Uday Joshi Udaykumar Chaganlal Joshi (born 23 December 1944, in Rajkot) is an Indian former cricketer active from 1965 to 1983 who played for Sussex. He appeared in 186 first-class matches as a right-handed batsman who bowled off breaks. He scored 2,2 ...

, Indian cricketer who played for

Sussex Sussex (), from the Old English (), is a historic county in South East England that was formerly an independent medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdom. It is bounded to the west by Hampshire, north by Surrey, northeast by Kent, south by the English ...

Social service

* Narayan Malhar Joshi, Indian trade union leader and founder of the Social service league * Sister Nirmala Joshi, Nepalese Catholic sister, former head at Missionaries of Charity

References

{{Chhetri communities Indian surnames Marathi-language surnames Gujarati-language surnames Surnames of Nepalese origin Khas surnames