ɐkˈoːɹdɪŋ tʊ ɐnˈʌðɚɹ ɛksplɐnˈeɪʃən, ðə nˈeɪm "sɹˌɪvɐstˈɑːvə" ɚɹˈɪdʒᵻnˌeɪts fɹʌm "sɹˈɪvɐstˌuː slˈæʃ sˈuːvɐstˌuː", ðə fˈɔːɹmɚ nˈeɪm ʌvðə swˈɑːt ɹˈɪvɚ, wˌɪtʃ ɪz sˈɛd təbi ðə plˈeɪs ʌv ˈɔːɹɪdʒˌɪn ʌv ðɪs klˈæn.
According to another explanation, the name "Srivastava" originates from "Srivastu/Suvastu", the former name of the Swat River, which is said to be the place of origin of this clan.