Gaekwad (also spelled as Gaikwar and Gaikwad) (Marathi: Gāyǎkǎvāḍǎ) is a surname native to Indian state of Maharashtra. The surname is found among the Marathas, Kolisand Scheduled caste It is also a common surname among Bharadis, Dhor, and Mahar communities of Maharashtra.
Etymology
The name Gaekwad is believed to be a combination of two words (Gai and Kavad). Gai means a cow and Kavad which means a small door therefore Gaekwad means Cow door.
Origin
The Gaekwad dynasty of the Maratha Empire are originally of Kunbi origin.
Notable people
Notable people with the surname include:
- Gaekwad’s of Baroda – Maharajas of Baroda State
- Keerti Gaekwad Kelkar (born 1974), an Indian television actress and model
- Anshuman Gaekwad, a former Indian cricketer and two-time Indian national cricket coach
- Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, known by his mononymous stage name Rajinikanth, an Indian film actor and politician
- Sunil Gaikwad Member of Parliament 16th, Maharashtra
Ravindra Gaikwad, a member of the 16th Lok Sabha of India
- Hiralal Gaekwad, an Indian cricketer who played in one Test in 1952
- Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Indian women cricketer
- Ruturaj Gaikwad, Maharashtra domestic and Chennai Super Kings Cricketer