# Naidu

Naidu (also spelled as Nayudu, Naidoo) is a Telugu title commonly used by various Telugu castes. 'Nayudu/Naidu' (నాయుడు) is a contraction of the Telugu word 'Nayakudu' (నాయకుడు) meaning leader, chief, headman. Telugu castes such as the Kapu/Balija Kamma, Gavara, Golla, Turpu Kapu, Velama, Boya among others use the title.
In Coastal Andhra, the term Naidu primarily refers to Kapu caste.

## Notable people

People bearing the title Naidu include:
* Ama Naidoo, social activist from South Africa
* Baddukonda Appala Naidu, politician, YSRCP leader
* B. Munuswamy Naidu, former Chief Minister of Madras Presidency
* Buchi Babu Naidu, Indian cricket pioneer known as the 'father of South Indian cricket'
* Chandra Nayudu, India's first female cricket commentator
* Chota K. Naidu, Telugu cinematographer
* C. K. Nayudu, first captain of the Indian cricket team and one of India's greatest cricketers
* C. S. Nayudu, represented India in Test cricket from 1934 to 1952
* D. K. Adikesavulu Naidu, former chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
* Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu, Carnatic violinist
* Daggubati Ramanaidu, Telugu film producer
* Gali Muddu Krishnama Naidu, member of Telugu Desam Party
* Galla Ramachandra Naidu, Indian industrialist, the founder of Amara Raja Group of companies
* Gorle Sriramulu Naidu, former Minister, Congress Party, Andhra Pradesh
* Grandhi Venkata Reddy Naidu, first Law Minister of Andhra Pradesh
* G. D. Naidu, scientist, inventor and businessman, known as "Edison of India"
* K. Govindaswamy Naidu, entrepreneur, founder of KG Group
* Kamisetty Parasuram Naidu, Speaker of Pondicherry Assembly (1985–1989)
* Kodi Rammurthy Naidu, bodybuilder, strongman, and wrestler
* Kondapalli Pydithalli Naidu, former Member of Parliament; Telugu Desam Party leader
* Kondapalli Appala Naidu, Telugu Desam Party leader
* Kuppuswami Naidu, entrepreneur, founder of Lakshmi Mills
* Kurma Venkata Reddy Naidu, former Chief Minister and Governor of Madras Presidency
* K. Venkataswami Naidu, politician
* Leela Naidu, Indian actress
* M. Venkaiah Naidu, 13th Vice President of India
* Nalla Reddi Naidu, former Member of Parliament
* Naransamy Roy Naidoo, social activist in South Africa
* Nimmala Rama Naidu, politician, Telugu Desam Party
* N. Chandrababu Naidu, current Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, leader of Telugu Desam Party
* P. Varadarajulu Naidu, Indian physician, politician, journalist and Indian independence activist
* P. S. Govindasamy Naidu, educator, founder of PSG Group
* P. V. Rangayya Naidu, former Director General of Police and member of the 10th Lok Sabha of India
* Padmaja Naidu, freedom fighter
* Palnati Brahmanaidu, minister of a small Andhra kingdom of Palnadu
* Pathivada Narayanaswamy Naidu, former Minister, Andhra Pradesh
* Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu, commander of a Vijayanagara military unit
* Prakash Nayudu, sportsperson who represented Madhya Pradesh cricket team
* Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu, filmmaker widely known as the "father of Telugu cinema"
* Raghupathi Venkataratnam Naidu, Indian social reformer and educationist
* Ramesh Naidu, National Award-winning music composer
* Sarojini Naidu, independence activist and poet known as "nightingale of India"
* Sobha Naidu, classical dancer
* Srihari S. Naidu, physician
* S. R. A. S. Appala Naidu, politician; former MP and state minister
* Thapi Dharma Rao Naidu, writer and journalist, winner of Sahitya Akademi Award
* Thota Narasayya Naidu, freedom fighter
* Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu, Amaravathi Raja