mishra

Mishra is a surname and, less commonly, a given name of Indian origin. It derives from the Sanskrit miśra, meaning "mixed" or "blended," a term historically used for mixtures of lineages or traditions. In modern usage, Mishra is most widely recognized as a Brahmin surname and is common across multiple Indian states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, as well as in Nepal. The surname appears in several spellings—Misra, Mishra, and Misrah—reflecting regional scripts and transliteration into Hindi, Bengali, Odia, Marathi, and Nepali.

In cultural and contemporary contexts, people named Mishra have contributed across fields such as politics, academia, science, literature, and sports. Notable individuals include Sanjay Mishra, a Hindi film actor known for character roles, and Amit Mishra, an Indian cricketer who has represented the national team and played in domestic leagues. The name is widespread enough that it is not exclusive to one community or profession, and it is used by many who identify with diverse backgrounds.