# Shakya

> English word · Proper noun

## Definitions
1. An ancient tribe of Iron Age India to which the Buddha belonged.
2. A surname from Nepali.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Nepali शाक्य (śākya), from Sanskrit शाक्य (śākya), which is most likely from Sanskrit शक् (śak, “to be able”). Alternatively, from Sanskrit शाखा (śākhā, “branch, teak”); see Shakya for more.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/shakya