Nanaks

Nanaks is a plural term that can have several meanings in South Asian contexts. Most commonly, Nanak is a given name derived from Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, and "Nanaks" refers to multiple individuals who bear that name. The name is prevalent among Punjabi-speaking populations and in the diaspora, and it may appear as a first name or as part of a compound name.

In formal religious contexts, Nanaks is not a standard designation for a community or order. Followers of Guru Nanak are typically identified as Sikhs, and the Gurus themselves are referred to by their sequential titles (Guru Nanak, Guru Angad, etc.). The plural form may appear in genealogical or historical discussions to denote descendants or groups associated with people named Nanak, but this usage is uncommon.

Across contemporary usage, Nanaks can function as a given name or as a surname in South Asia and among diaspora communities. Some individuals named Nanak have held public or cultural roles, but there is no widely recognized collective entity known specifically as “Nanaks.” See also Guru Nanak, Nanak, Sikhism, Punjabi names.