Desai is an Indian administrative, princely or honorary title and surname.

Etymology

The word is derived from the Sanskrit deśa (country) and svāmī (lord).

Desai as a title

Desai was a title given to feudal lords, and others who were granted a village or group of villages in Maharashtra, and North Karnataka. The title Desai should not be associated with a particular religion or caste, though a Desai would use the title of Rao or Rai or Raje as a suffix to his name denoting he is a king of those villages, The "Desai" title was given by Maratha emperors, Mughal emperors and by the Deccan sultanates.

Desai as a surname

Desai as a surname is used by Gaud Saraswat Brahmin, Deshastha Brahmin, Karhade Brahmin, Marathas, Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu, Pathare Prabhu, Panchkalshi, Anavil Brahmin, Khedaval Brahmin, Rabari, Leva Patel, Patidar, and Lingayat communities of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka.

Individual people

Notable individuals with the surname Desai include: