Gowda is derived from an archaic Tamil-Kannada term Kavunda denoting a village or family head in Karnataka. It is similar to Goundar or Kaoundar of Tamil Nadu. Idiga, Kuruba and Vokkaliga are the communities that use Gowda or Gowdar as surnames. Certain Gowda sects like Namadhary Vokkaliga Gowdas are strict vegetarians. Vokkaliga Gowda is the largest community in Karnataka. They are mostly found in Bangalore and Kolar Districts and their surrounding areas in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.