Shresthis

Shresthis are individuals bearing the surname Shrestha, a common Newar surname from Nepal. The plural form Shresthis is sometimes used in English to refer collectively to people with this surname.

The surname derives from Sanskrit Śreṣṭha, meaning "noble," "best," or "wealthy"; it is associated with elite roles within traditional Newar society, including merchants, administrators, scholars, and priests.

In Nepal, Shrestha is among the most widespread Newar surnames, especially in the Kathmandu Valley—Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur districts—with many family lineages dating to the Malla and early modern periods. The name is also found among Nepali communities in India (Darjeeling, Sikkim), Bhutan, and across the Nepali diaspora in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Australasia.

Variants include Shrestha, Shrasta, Śreṣṭha; transliteration differences yield Shresthi or Shresthi. The plural Shresthis is used when referring to multiple individuals.

Notable associations: The Shrestha surname is prominent in public life in Nepal and among the diaspora, appearing in business, academia, government, and arts, though no single affiliation defines all who bear the name.

See also: Shrestha.