# bahadur

/bˈæhɐdjˌɔː/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bahadur
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a title and given name from South Asia meaning 'brave' or 'hero'. It is common in countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, and was once given to honour soldiers and officials for their courage.

For teachers: an honorific title and masculine given name of Turco-Mongolian origin — via Persian bahādur, ultimately from Mongolian baɣatur ('hero, valiant warrior') — meaning 'brave' or 'valiant'. Widely used across South Asia as a personal name and, historically under the Mughal and British administrations, as an honorific conferred on distinguished officials and military officers.

## Examples

- Bahadur is a common name in Nepal and northern India.
- Many Gurkha soldiers carry the name Bahadur, a word that means 'brave' and reflects a long family tradition of military service.
- Under British rule the honorific 'Bahadur' was bestowed on Indian officers whose loyalty and courage the administration wished to recognise, and it still echoes in South Asian surnames today.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.