Krishnamurthy

Krishnamurthy is a South Asian surname common in India, particularly among speakers of Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. It is derived from Krishna, a widely venerated Hindu deity and given name, combined with murthy, a Sanskrit term meaning form, image, or embodiment. The compound is often interpreted as “form of Krishna” and has historically functioned as a patronymic, denoting lineage from an ancestor named Krishnamurthy.

Etymology and spelling: Murthy (murti) is a common element in Indian names, and its combination with Krishna yields various spellings in English transliteration. The surname appears as Krishnamurthy in formal writing and can be encountered in variants such as Krishnamurti or Krishnamurty, influenced by language and region.

Geographic and cultural distribution: The name is prevalent in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh/Telangana, with presence also in Karnataka, Kerala, Sri Lanka, and among Indian diasporas worldwide. Because it is a patronymic, it does not denote a fixed caste or community and may be found across different social groups depending on family history.

Notable people: Individuals bearing the surname Krishnamurthy have contributed to diverse fields including science, engineering, governance, and the arts. As with many Indian names, the specific lineage and community associations can vary by family.