Poudel

Poudel is a surname of Nepali origin, written in Devanagari as पौडेल. It is used by people in Nepal and by members of the Nepali diaspora around the world. The name appears across several communities in the country and does not belong to a single caste or ethnic group.

The exact etymology of Poudel is not firmly established. It is generally regarded as a traditional surname within the Khas-Nepali linguistic sphere, with multiple branch families that may be associated with different communities over time. In some cases, families bearing the name have links to Chhetri or Brahmin lineages, but the usage across Nepal is diverse and not exclusively tied to one group.

In terms of distribution, Poudel is observed throughout Nepal and is relatively common in hilly regions as well as in the Kathmandu Valley. The name is also found among Nepali communities abroad, including in India (notably in areas with Nepali-speaking populations), North America, Europe, and the Gulf states, reflecting migration and diaspora dynamics.

Notable people with the surname have included individuals active in politics, academia, culture, and other professional fields. As with many Nepali surnames, Poudel appears across a range of professions and regions, illustrating the surname’s broad social presence in Nepal and among Nepali communities worldwide.

Variant spellings of the name include Poudyal, reflecting transliteration differences from Nepali to English.