GURUNG
Gurung is a surname of Nepali origin, predominantly used by members of the Gurung ethnic group of Nepal. The name is derived from the Gurung language word gurung, which translates to “eagle,” a bird that is traditionally regarded by the Gurung people as a symbol of strength and freedom.
The Gurung community, traditionally inhabiting the western hills and highlands of Nepal, is recognised for its martial traditions, bravery and loyalty. These traits have historically been associated with the surname Gurung, and it serves as a marker of cultural identity and heritage within the community. Members of this group have, for centuries, contributed to the military forces of Nepal, and many have served in the Gurkha regiments of the British Army, earning a reputation for valor and discipline.
In contemporary Nepal, the Gurung surname remains common among the Gurung population, which constitutes roughly two percent of the national population, or about 700,000 people. The surname is also carried by a significant diaspora, notably in the United Kingdom, where former Gurkha soldiers and their descendants continue to maintain cultural traditions and community ties.
Because the Gurung people speak an Indo‑Tibetan language of the same name, the surname is tightly linked to linguistic heritage. This linguistic connection reinforces the role of Gurung as a cultural identifier, signalling lineage, belonging, and a shared historical narrative that spans both Nepal and the diaspora.
Typical given names associated with the Gurung surname
Male
- Bikash
- Dil
- Gam
- Hari
- Kamal
- Krishna
- Milan
- Om
- Prakash
- Prem
- Ram
- Roshan
- Sudeep
- Yam
- Yet
Female
- Anita
- Chandra
- Ganga
- Indra
- Kamala
- Laxmi
- Mina
- Santosh
- Sunita
- Tara
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Gurung in...
Braille
⠛⠥⠗⠥⠝⠛
Morse
--...-.-...--.--.
Semaphore
There are approximately 4,167 people named Gurung in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,236th most common surname in Britain. Around 64 in a million people in Britain are named Gurung.
