Jogi

Jogi is a term used in several South Asian languages, notably Hindi and Punjabi. It originally denotes a yogi or ascetic—someone who practices yoga and renunciation—and is cognate with the Sanskrit word yogi. In everyday language, j o g i can refer to a person who follows a renunciatory or spiritual path, and it is also used as a masculine given name and surname in India, particularly among Punjabi communities.

As a proper name, Jogi appears in various cultural contexts across Indian society. It is commonly encountered as a personal name and has been borne by public figures in politics, arts, and entertainment, among others.

In contemporary media, Jogi is the title of a 2022 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. The film, released on Netflix, stars Diljit Dosanjh and centers on the life of a man named Jogi during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi, exploring themes of community, resilience, and conflict.

Etymology and usage notes: The word reflects a yogic or ascetic tradition, but as a name it travels beyond that religious or renunciatory context into everyday identity. Related terms include Yogi in English and yoga-related terminology in various Indian languages.