Tamil baby naming traditions: initials, deities and pure Tamil names
Tamil naming blends deep religious tradition with a strong love for the Tamil language. This guide explains the customs behind many Tamil names and gives examples.
Initials come first
In Tamil Nadu a person’s name often begins with an initial, which stands for the father’s name or the family’s native place, followed by the given name. For example, a child whose father is Sekar might be written “S. Kavin”. After marriage a woman may take her husband’s initial. If you are choosing a name for official records, decide how the initial will be written, because it appears on school and government documents.
Naming after grandparents
Naming a first child after a grandparent is a long-standing custom in many Tamil families. It honours the elder and keeps a family name alive. In some communities the first son is named after the paternal grandfather and the second after the maternal grandfather.
Names from the gods
Many Tamil names come from deities. Lord Murugan, much loved in Tamil Nadu, gives names such as Saravanan, Senthil, Kumaran, Karthikeyan, Velan and Arumugam. Names linked to Shiva include Sivakumar and Eswaran, and to Vishnu include Kannan and Govindan. Girls are often named after the Goddess, for example Meenakshi, Lakshmi, Parvathi and Kamakshi.
Names from nature and literature
Tamil poetry has a rich vocabulary of landscapes and flowers, and many names come from it: Mullai (jasmine), Nila (moon), Kayal (a fish and a word for beautiful eyes in poetry), and Ilakkiya (literature). Names inspired by classical works and poets, such as Valluvan, Ilango and Kavin (beautiful), are also popular.
The pure Tamil names movement
In the early 20th century a movement led by Maraimalai Adigal encouraged the use of pure Tamil in writing and in names, in place of words from Sanskrit. Many families today still prefer names that are entirely Tamil, such as Thamizh, Ilamaran, Mugil (cloud), Yazhini and Tamilselvi. If a Tamil-only name matters to you, ask an elder or a Tamil scholar to confirm the origin of the word.
Birth star and the first letter
Many Tamil families also use the birth star to choose the first letter. Our birth-star finder suggests starting syllables and matching names. Use it together with your family astrologer’s advice.
Tips
- Choose a name that is easy to write in English letters and that you can spell one way everywhere.
- Check the meaning with an elder, especially for older names.
- Say the full name with the initial and the surname.