Sen is a native Bengali Hindu surname. The meaning of the Sanskrit word is "being a lord, master or leader".
The surname is commonly found in the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent; namely Bangladesh West Bengal, India mainly among Bengali Baidya and Kayastha communities. The Sena kings of Bengal claimed themselves as Brahmakshatriya or Kshatriya in their own inscriptions. The surname is also found among some other castes of Bengal like Suvarna Banik, Gandhabanik and Teli.
History
The use of 'Sena' as a title is first found among the kings of a dynasty named as Vakataka Indian Costume By Govind Sadashiv Ghurye, Popular Prakashan Publications, Page 43 Dynastic History of Magadha, Cir. 450-1200 A.D. By Bindeshwari Prasad Sinha, Page 28Rabindranath Tagore: The Poet of India by A. K. Basu Majumdar, Indus Publishing, Page 50(Vakatakas and Chalukyas-both of Brahmin origin) (Vidarbha). This surname is also used by Raja Dahir, the last king of Brahman dynasty of Sindh (Southeastern Pakistan) and then followed by Sena Dynasty (Eastern India and Bangladesh).
Notables
A
Abhijit Sen is a former member of the Planning Commission of India, which was disbanded in 2014. Akshay Kumar Sen the 19th-century Bengali mystic, saint and writer Amal Sen was a Bangladeshi politician. He was the founding president of the Workers Party of Bangladesh. Amalesh Sen (; 2 March 1943 – 7 October 2017) was a Bangladeshi football player and coach. Amarendra Nath Sen, jurist who served as the chief justice of the Calcutta High Court in 1979 and as a judge in the Supreme Court of India. Amartya Sen (born 1933), Indian economist and philosopher, Nobel Prize winner Amiya Sen (cricketer) (1925–2000), Indian cricketer Amiya Prosad Sen (born 1952), historian and religious scholar Ananda Prakash Sen (1923–?), often known as A. P. Sen, is an Indian former judge who served as a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India Anil Kumar Sen, jurist Anindya Sen Economist Antara Dev Sen (born 1963), British–Indian journalist Anupam Sen (1920s-2015), Indian politician, West Bengal Legislative Assembly Anupam Sen (born August 5, 1940) is a Bangladeshi academic and social scientist. Anushka Sen (born 2002), Indian model and television actress Aparna Sen (born 1945), an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter and actress Arunava Sen (born January 3, 1959) is a professor of economics at the Indian Statistical Institute. He works on Game Theory, Social Choice Theory, Mechanism Design, Voting and Auctions. Ashalata Sen (5 February 1894 - 13 February 1986) was an activist, poet, social worker, and a leading figure in the Indian independence movement. Ashish Sen is an American professor and transportation statistician based in Chicago Ashoke Sen, theoretical physicist Ashoke Kumar Sen former law minister, lawyer, and parliamentarian Asit Sen (actor) (1917–1993), prolific Indian film actor and comedian in the Hindi film industry Asit Sen (director) (24 September 1922 – 25 August 2001) was an Indian film director, cinematographer and screenwriter, who worked in both Bengali and Hindi cinema. He was born in Dhaka, now in modern-day Bangladesh, when it was part of East Bengal in British India. He directed 17 feature films in Hindi and Bengali Atul Sen (? – 5 August 1932) (Bengali: অতুল সেন) was a Bengali Indian independence movement revolutionary activist against British rule in India. Atul Prasad Sen (; 20 October 1871 – 26 August 1934) was a Bengali composer, lyricist and singer, and also a lawyer, philanthropist, social worker, educationist and writer.
B
Baikuntha Nath Sen (1843 – 1922) was a Bengali scholar, lawyer and philanthropist. His grandson Amarendra Nath Sen was a judge of Supreme Court of India. Basiswar Sen also known as "Boshi" Sen (1887 – 31 August 1971), Indian agricultural scientist. Benu Sen (26 May 1932 – 17 May 2011) was an awarded Indian photographer from Kolkata, India. Bhim Sen (1 December 1894 – 18 January 1978Bhim Sen Sachar Biography, History and Facts. Mapsofindia.com.) was an Indian politician. He was the Chief Minister of Punjab, thrice. Bhupati Mohan Sen was an Indian physicist and mathematician. He made remarkable contributions in the fields of Quantum Mechanics and Fluid Mechanics. Bijoy Sen is a Bangladeshi art director. He won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Art Direction for the film Andha Biswas (1992). Binay Ranjan Sen, former Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Binayak Sen, human rights activist Bireswar Sen, (1897–1974) Indian painter, writer and teacher, influenced by the Bengal School of Art and Western modernism, but later developed a visual language of miniatures.
C
Chandan Sen a Bengali stage, television and film actor, playwright and director Chandan K. Sen is an Indian-American scientist who is known for contributions to the fields of regenerative medicine and wound care Chitra Sen, an Indian actress and dancer who works in Bengali language films and television series
D
Dahir Sen, last ruler of the Brahman dynasty of Sindh Deben Sen (1897 – 19 April 1971) was an Indian trade union activist and politician. Dinesh Chandra Sen, researcher of Bengali folklore Dola Sen (born 26 March 1967) is an Indian politician and trade unionist. From 2020 she is now the central president of the Indian National Trinamool Trade Union Congress (INTTUC).
E
Erroll Chunder Sen (1899 – after 1941?), First World War Indian pilot in the Royal Flying Corps
G
Gautam Sen is an Indian journalist, writer and automotive design consultant and expert. Gertrude Emerson Sen (6 May 1890–1982), early 20th-century expert on Asia and a founding member of the Society of Woman Geographers Girish Chandra Sen( – 15 August 1910), Bengali religious scholar and first Bengali translator of the Quran
H
Haimabati Sen (1866 – 1932 or 1933), was an Indian physician Hannah Sen (1894–1957) was an Indian educator, politician, and feminist, wife of Satish Chandra Sen. She was a member of the first Indian Rajya Sabha (upper house of Parliament) from 1952 to 1957 and the president of the All India Women's Conference in 1951-52 Hari Keshab Sen (9 February 1905 - 1 September 1976), popularly known as H. K. Sen was an Indian Bengali scientist, astrophysicist Hiralal Sen is generally considered the first filmmaker of indian subcontinent H. Nida Sen H.Nida Sen is an ophthalmologist researching mechanisms involved in different forms of human uveitis. She is a clinical investigator at the National Eye Institute
I
Inder Sen is an Indian film director, producer and screenwriter working in Bengali cinema. Indra Sen (13 May 1903 – 14 March 1994) was a psychologist, author, and educator, and the founder of Integral psychology as an academic discipline. Sen was born in the Jhelum District of Punjab (now part of Pakistan) in a Punjabi Hindu family from Punjab. Indrani Sen A Bengali singer who is known for Nazrul geeti and Rabindra Sangeet. Ivan Sen (born 1972) is an Indigenous Australian filmmaker.
J Jaladhar Sen Rai Bahadur Jaladhar Sen (; 13 March 1860 – 15 March 1939) was a Bengali writer, poet, editor and also a philanthropist, traveler, social worker, educationist and littérateur. He was awarded with the title Ray Bahadur (রায় বাহাদুর) by the British Government. Jogendra Nath Sen, First Bengali soldier to die in the First World War Joginder Sen Raja Sir Joginder Sen Bahadur KCSI (20 August 1904 – 16 June 1986) was the last ruling Raja of Mandi State, and was subsequently a diplomat and Member of Parliament.
K
Kaushik Sen (or Koushik Sen; born 19 September 1968), Indian film, television and theatre actor based in Kolkata Keshav Sen (reigned 1225–1230), ruler of the Sen Empire, reformer of "Kaulinya" and "Varna" in vernacular literature Keshav Sen (born 21 September 1923) is an Indian former sports shooter. He competed in the trap event at the 1960 Summer Olympics. Keshub Chandra Sen (1838–1884), Hindu philosopher and social reformer Konkona Sen (born 3 December 1979), Indian actress, writer, and director Krishna Sen (19 October 1956 – 27 May 2002), Nepalese writer and journalist Kshitimohan Sen (2 December 1880 – 12 March 1960), Indian scholar, writer, and Sanskrit professor
L
Lakshman Sen, Emperor Lakshya Sen (born 2001), Indian badminton player Lalmohan Sen (Bengali: লালমোহন সেন) was an Indian revolutionary who took part in the Chittagong Armoury Raid Lionel Protip Sen Lieutenant-General Lionel Protip "Bogey" Sen DSO (20 October 1910 – 17 September 1981) was an Indo-British decorated Indian Army general. He served as the Chief of the General Staff during 1959–1961 and commanded the Eastern Command during 1961–1963
M
Mala Sen (3 June 1947 – 21 May 2011) was a Bengali-Indian-British writer and human rights activist Malabika Sen, Dancer Mandakranta Sen (born 1972) is an Indian poet writing in Bengali. She became the youngest-ever winner of Ananda Puraskar in 1999 for her very first poetry book. In 2004 she was awarded Sahitya Akademi Golden Jubilee Award for poetry. She is also a lyricist, composer, fiction writer, dramatist and cover designer. She quit medical studies to become a full-time writer. Manikuntala Sen (; c. 1911–1987) was one of the first women to be active in the Communist Party of India. Mantu Sen (21 June 1923 – 12 April 1990) was an Indian cricketer. He played eighteen first-class matches for Bengal between 1942 and 1959. Mayukh Sen is an American writer. He was nominated for a James Beard Award in 2018 and 2019, winning the award in 2018 for his profile of Princess Pamela. Mihir Sen (born 1930), a famous Indian long-distance swimmer Mimlu Sen (born 1949) is an Indian author, translator, musician, composer and producer. Minati Sen (born 2 October 1943) Politician, was a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. Mithu Sen is an Indian conceptual artist. Born in West Bengal in 1971. Mohit Sen was a communist intellectual. He was general secretary of the United Communist Party of India until of his death. Moon Moon Sen (born 1954), an Indian actress working in Bengali, Hindi and other regional films Mrinal Sen, Dadasaheb Phalke award-winning film director Mrinal Kanti Sen, an Indian-American geophysicist. Mrinalini Sen (3 August 1879 - 8 March 1972) was a Bengali writer in British India. On 19 December 1910, she became the first Indian to fly in a plane. Mukunda Sen (sometimes known as Makanda Sen) was the King of Palpa from 1518 to 1553 of Sena dynasty (Nepal). In 1524, he invaded Kathmandu Valley.
N
Nabaneeta Dev Sen Nabhendu Sen (31 August 1944 – 25 September 2008) a Bengali dramatist, sculptor and artist Nabinchandra Sen, poet and writer Nandana Sen (born 1967), daughter of Amartya Sen, actress in Hindi cinema, screenwriter Narayan Sen (1912–1956) was a Bengali revolutionary in the Indian independence movement Neeta Sen (1935 – 1 April 2006) was an Indian classical music director and singer Nibedita Sen is a queer Bengali-born writer of speculative fiction Nikhil Sen (16 April 1931 – 25 February 2019) was a Bangladeshi dramatist. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2018 by the Government of Bangladesh. Nilima Sen (1928 Kolkata –1996) was a famous Rabindrasangeet singer. Nirupam Sen (cricketer) Nirupam Sen (diplomat) Nirupam Sen (politician) Nirupam Sen Chowdhary (born 23 October 1990) is an Indian first-class cricketer who plays for Tripura Nivaan Sen also known as Naveen Sen, is an Indian actor and producer Noel Swaranjit Sen (born 24 December 1946) is a retired Director-General and Inspector-General of Police in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. After a stint with the Indian Army (Short Service Commission) in the 1960s, he became an Officer of the Indian Police Service. He was also a Commandant of the 1st Battalion of Border Security Force
O
Orijit Sen (born 1963) is an Indian graphic artist and designer.
P
Pabitra Kumar Sen, scientist and social reformer