Pradhan

Pradhan is a surname and a historical title used in the Indian subcontinent and Nepal. In Sanskrit and several Indo-Aryan languages, pradhan means chief, principal, or head. Historically, the term denoted a village chief or local leader and, in some communities, functioned as an office or social rank within rural governance.

As a surname, Pradhan is widespread among a variety of communities in India and Nepal. In India, it is particularly common in Odisha and West Bengal, with occurrences in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and other states. In Odisha, the surname historically related to village administration; the Pradhan family name appears across social strata. In Nepal, Pradhan is a common surname among several ethnic groups, including Khas and Madhesi communities, and may reflect historical roles in ancestral governance or landholding.

Notable bearers range from politicians and government officials to scholars, writers, and athletes, reflecting the name's broad social distribution.

See also Pradhan (disambiguation).