KHANNA
Khanna is a family name of Punjabi origin that is predominantly found in the Indian sub‑continent, particularly among members of the Khatri caste.
This surname derives from the Sanskrit word khanna, which translates as “rice” or more generally “food.” The linguistic root suggests a historical association with the cultivation, preparation, or trade of rice and other foodstuffs.
Within the Khatri community, the Khanna name is often linked to individuals who engaged in commercial activities related to food, such as merchants, traders or culinary professionals. The occupational connection is reinforced by the literal meaning of the term, implying a lineage of people who supplied or sold staple foods.
It is also possible that Khanna is a toponymic surname, signifying an ancestral link to a place renowned for rice cultivation or for the production of food goods. Such geographic identifiers were common in Punjabi naming practices and tend to reflect the economic specialities of a locality.
The cultural milieu for bearers of the Khanna name is largely situated in the Asian region of India. The predominant language used by the community is Hindi, and the principal religion practiced is Hinduism, which has shaped traditional customs, festivals, and social structures in which the surname is embedded.
In contemporary society, people with the surname Khanna maintain a presence in various professional domains, while still acknowledging their historical ties to trade and food production. The name thus preserves a link between past occupational heritage and present-day identity in a manner typical of many Punjabi surnames.
Typical given names associated with the Khanna surname
Male
- Amit
- Anil
- Ashish
- Kunal
- Rahul
- Rajesh
- Rohit
- Sanjay
- Sunil
- Vinod
Female
- Anita
- Aparna
- Karen
- Kiran
- Monica
- Natasha
- Priya
- Reena
- Ritu
- Seema
- Sonia
- Tina
- Veena
Similar and related surnames
- Cagna
- Caina
- Cana
- Canas
- Canay
- Canna
- Cannas
- Cannay
- Kaana
- Kahan
- Kahana
- Kahn
- Kahnn
- Kaina
- Kana
- Kanaa
- Kanai
- Kanas
- Kanay
- Kanaya
- Kanayo
- Kann
- Kanna
- Kannagh
- Kannah
- Kannaiah
- Kannair
- Kannam
- Kannan
- Kannar
- Kannas
- Kanne
- Kanneh
- Keana
- Keannan
- Keena
- Keenay
- Keenna
- Kenna
- Kennagh
- Kennas
- Kennay
- Kennea
- Khahn
- Khan
- Khana
- Khanal
- Khanam
- Khanan
- Khanat
- Khane
- Khaneghah
- Khani
- Khann
- Khannam
- Khano
- Khans
- Khanu
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Khanna in...
Braille
⠅⠓⠁⠝⠝⠁
Morse
-.-.....--.-..-
Semaphore
There are approximately 2,135 people named Khanna in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,970th most common surname in Britain. Around 33 in a million people in Britain are named Khanna.
Region of origin: Asia
Country of origin: India
Religion of origin: Hindu
Language of origin: Hindi
Famous people named Khanna
- Vinod Khanna - Indian actor, director, politician (1946 to 2017)
- Rajesh Khanna - Bollywood actor (1942 to 2012)
- Raashi Khanna - Indian model, Actress, Singer
- Akshaye Khanna - Indian actor
- Twinkle Khanna - Indian film actress
- Rinke Khanna - Indian actress
- Paul Khanna - Actor
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.