Prabhu means master or prince in Sanskrit and many of the Indian languages; it is a name sometimes applied to God.

Surname

Prabhu is a surname among Gaud saraswat Brahmins,saraswat Brahmins and other Brahmins across the Konkan Coast in India, from Karnataka and Maharashtra to Goa.

As a title

"Prabhu" as a title is mainly found among Gaud saraswat Brahmins, Saraswat Brahmins, Karhade Brahmins and other Brahmins in Maharashtra,Karnataka and Goa. Prabhu was a title accorded to the representative of the main village of the taluka (district) committee. The Prabhus may have also occupied official posts in the central administration, without prejudice to their original posts which were hereditary. Traditionally, a Prabhu was a village chief, Ministers, Zamindars, administrators, landlord and as such a master to the many agricultural labourers that were needed to cultivate his lands.

Notable people