Talking about names one day, PB and I decided that some very pretty ones like Kannal (Tamil, meaning sugarcane) were simply not popular enough. That led to a ramble about how there are so many beautiful names in Tamil, but so few of them are in use any more, with Sanskrit-derived ones having edged them out.
So we decided to compile a list of Tamil names for both girls and boys, hoping to persuade at least a few of our (oh-so-) many friends who are planning/having babies to pick from this pile, but the response has been…umm…less than enthusiastic. I’ve decided, therefore, to present the list to the wider world, trusting in the wisdom of crowds to see the importance, not only of being Suresh, but also Sengalvarayan or simply, Selvam.
I’ve included the few meanings that I know, but they could be wrong–I’m putting my appalling ignorance of Tamil on public display here! Corrections and inputs on meanings are most welcome!
Girls
1. Thangamani – golden bead
2. Thenmozhi – words like honey?
3. Kanimozhi – sweet words (like ripe fruit)
4. Poongothai – garland of flowers
5. Poonkuzhali – flower-like locks (should be a more elegant way to phrase that!)
6. Kaarkuzhali – dark-haired
7. Kannal – sugarcane
8. Mukil – dark cloud
9. Thaamarai – lotus
10. Roja – rose
11. Malli – jasmine
12. Malar – flower
13. Thenmalar – nectar-bearing flower?
14. Manimekalai – literary heroine
15. Manonmani – a form of Shakti
16. Amuda – nectar
17. Nila – moon
18. Vennila – full moon
19. Maasila – blemishless
20. Azhagu – beautiful
21. Selvi – wealth/wealthy
22. Mangai -
23. Maragatham – flower (marigold?)
24. Valli -
25. Shenbagam – flower (Michelia champaca)
26. Kalaiselvi – artistically gifted
27. Thangam – gold
28. Chellammal – beloved
29. Kannammal – beloved
30. Yogam – fortune
31. Ezhilarasi – queen of beauty
32. Thendral – breeze
33. Madura – queen of Madurai
34. Kurinji – a flower that blooms once every 12 years (Strobilanthes kunthiana)
35. Vaigai – name of a river
36. Kaveri – name of a river
37. Dharani – earth
38. Oviya – painting
39. Raasathi – beloved
40. Iniyaazh – sweet-spoken
41. Kayalvizhi – of fish-shaped eyes
Boys
1. Sengalvarayan -
2. Pitchumani -
3. Chidambaram – a sacred place/name of a god
4. Pandian – king (of the Pandian line)
5. Cheran – king (of the Chera line)
6. Arasu – king
7. Anbarasu – king of love?
8. Anbu – love
9. Anbumani -
10. Mani – jewel
11. Muthu – pearl
12. Maanikkam – ruby
13. Maaran -
14. Vairam – diamond
15. Manikandan – mythogical character/name of a god
16. Selvam – wealth
17. Kaarmegam – black cloud
18. Tamizharasu – king (of Tamil?)
19. Kannan – beloved (also name of a god)
20. Arul – divine grace
21. Valluvan – accomplished one
22. Kovalan – literary hero
23. Kalaimani -
24. Mannan – king
25. Nedunchezhiyan – a just and famous king (from literature)
26. Kalamegam – storm clouds
27. Kamban -
28. Ilangovan – youthful?
29. Nakkeeran – fearless?
30. Bharani – name of a star?
31. Chenthil -
32. Ezhil – beauty
33. Silamban -
34. Silambarasan -
35. Azhagan – handsome
36. Kathir – rays of the sun
37. Karikalan – a brave and famous king
38. Navukkarasan – king of words
39. Paari – a famous king (from mythology)
This list barely skims the surface of the vast ocean of potential Tamil names, with their silken syllables and elegant meanings. I have tried to leave out names of gods and goddesses, with the exception of those that have other (preferably pretty!) meanings. In this too, I’m sure to have made errors of both omission and commission, and do welcome corrections.
While this is meant to be a list of Tamil names, it is not intended to be so rigid as to exclude words that have some association with Sanskrit/other languages – names with the ‘megam’ suffix are a good example. As long as the word is used in formal, written Tamil, it will qualify. Contributions are welcome!
Upated to add some meanings.
12 responses so far ↓
Sneha // Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 7:55 pm |
Hey, Actually I don’t think they are quite extinct just yet.. I know a paari, an ezhil… Unusual but certainly not non-existent.
I think I know people with about twenty of the forty names you’ve listed for both the men and women..
But you’re right, people do seem to prefer sanskritized names these days.. I suspect it’s because we presume our kids will have a hard time among the sea of siddharths, Dhruvs, Meghnas etc. .. I knew a balatripurasundari that had the worst time at school..
My personal favourite girl’s name though is Alarmelu.. I think it’s something like a girl of the waves or something, right?? (I don’t really speak tamizh very well so forgive me if that’s incorrect..) Still, I like the sound of the name
varali // Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 8:02 pm |
Sneha – I wasn’t saying these names are extinct, only that they are far less popular than they used to be. Which is a pity considering how beautiful some of them are.
Alarmel and Alamelu mean the same thing. I think it is another name for Lakshmi, and refers to some sort of flower. And yes, I think Alarmel sounds gorgeous!
12th Man // Friday, July 18, 2008 at 7:48 am |
I will try to explain a few of those names:
1. Poonkodhai – Kodhai = Andaal, the devotee of Krishna born in Srivilliputtur according to tamizh history. Poonkodhai = Flower + Kodhai.
2. Poonkuzhali – Flower + Flute funda. Someone who is as soft as a flower and has a sweet voice as a melody arising from a flute.
3. Anbumani – Love + Bead? I know people had a love for beads.
4. Silambarasan – Refers to the either to Kovalan or the king at whom Kannagi threw her ‘Silambu’.
varali // Friday, July 18, 2008 at 9:44 am |
12thMan: Thanks! Kothai is garland and yes, it was Andal’s real name. So Poonkothai is a garland of flowers. Also, kuzhal is hair (see Kaarkuzhali) rather than flute here, which would make Poonkuzhali, someone with flower-like locks.
I knew these, but seem to have missed putting the meanings in for them! Updated now.
Lakshmi // Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 5:31 pm |
Lovely list.
A friend has a daughter called “Nila” and son called “Nimai”. Still searching for the meaning of “Nimai”. Any ideas?
varali // Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 11:40 pm |
Lakshmi: Welcome to these parts! Nimai, a bit of googling tells me, refers to Krishna. And it seems to be used largely by north Indians.
Vishal Thakur // Friday, August 22, 2008 at 12:14 pm |
Excellent compilation! Thanks.
sthitapragnya // Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 7:51 am |
Beautiful compilation!! Telugu and Tamil, both being Dravidian languages, share so many common words. For instance, here -
muthu (Tam) – mutyamu (Tel) – pearl
sengalvarayan (Tam) – chengaluvarayadu (Tel) – Vishnu (chengaluva means lotus)
kaarmegam (Tam) – kaarumeghamu or kaarumabbu (Tel) – dark cloud
mukil (Tam) – muyilu (Tel) – dark cloud
roja is the same in Tam and Tel, ‘malli’ is ‘malle’ in Telugu.
‘nila’ (moon) is ‘nelavanka’ in Telugu. vennila (Tam) – vennela (Tel) – full moon, moonlight. taamarai (Tam) – taamara (Tel) – lotus
Also, there are some words here, from Sanskrit, which u didn’t give the meaning for or got them wrong. Sorry for nitpicking.
‘Manimekalai’ is probably a Tamil adaptation of ‘Manimekhala’ in sanskrit, meaning a ‘gem studded girdle’. mekhala means girdle.
‘Marakatam’ means ‘emerald’. The goddess Meenakshi of Madurai is also called ‘Marakata shyamalangi’ meaning ‘emerald hued beauty’
‘Madura’ is a variation of ‘madhura’ meaning either ’sweet’ or ‘the Holy City of Madhura’.
‘Chidambaram’ splits into ‘chit’+'ambaram’. ‘chit’ meaning ’supreme consciousness’ and ‘ambaram’ means ’sky’. The Lord Nataraja dances in supreme bliss in this kshetram, hence the name.
‘Manikandan’ is a variation of ‘Manikantha’ meaning ‘he who holds a gem in his throat’ or ‘he who bears a gem near the throat’. I think this name refers to Lord Shiva also.
I think I’ve taken up enough space and should stop here. Sorry again! And lovely compilation indeed!
Oooooh! This is amazing! Thank you – both for pointing out errors and for adding to the meanings!
Anonymous // Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 2:06 am |
i need exact definition in my name please send it my mail id.
kannal // Sunday, March 1, 2009 at 8:22 pm |
Thank you for that post…
Some more names (my cousins’ )
1. Poovithal – petal
2. Ilamthalir – tender shoots
3. Aatral – talent
4. Innisai – sweet music
Saravanan // Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 10:29 am |
That is Idhayam family right? I really appreciate their parents on giving such wonderful tamil names to them!
varali // Monday, March 2, 2009 at 9:17 pm |
Kannal – Thanks for dropping by!
What lovely names – your family must have the most wonderful peyar collection ever! And an aesthetic sense to match.
Tell me, should it be Poovithazh, rather than …thaL? Just so I know how to pronounce it.
Also, could you help provide meanings for names on the list?