From Machchhar to Hathi, and Ghoda: The exceptional story of Gujarati surnames behind Captain Smit's valour

Machchhar, Hathi, Ghoda: Curious menagerie in Gujarati surnames

AHMEDABAD/MUMBAI: The heroic exploits of an intrepid pilot named Captain Smit Machchhar have led to curiosity about his surname.

'Machchhar' means more than a mosquito: The fascinating story behind Captain Smit Machchhar's Gujarati Surname

A surname is more than just a second name; it conveys an untold story of some unknown ancestor. With surnames like 'Mankad' (insect), 'Machchhar' (mosquito), or 'Ghoda' (horse), these untold stories become even more intriguing. This is because the moment such a surname is spoken, one visualizes an insect or an animal rather than a person.

Relief, Concern, Surname: What Indians Searched For On Smit Machchhar

As the news about the flydubai incident went viral, millions of people were searching about Captain Smit Machchhar. A deep dive into Google Trends data reveals a remarkable look at human curiosity, relief, national pride, and some familiar Indian internet habits.

From Machchhar to Hathi, and Ghoda: The exceptional story of Gujarati surnames behind Captain Smit's valour

Machchhar is an established Gujarati surname, found among communities including Nagar Brahmins and Lohanas. Gujarat also has a distinctive tradition of surnames that are derived from animals, birds or insects.

Captain Smit Machchhar's surname means mosquito, and has a fascinating story

Captain Smit Machchhar is being feted for his bravery aboard a flydubai flight. There is also curiosity about a surname that literally means mosquito in Hindi and Gujarati. Where does the surname come from? What does it say about Gujarat's naming traditions? Here's how Machchhar became a family name.