700 Traditional Tamil Baby Names For Parents To Consider

Melodies of timeless tradition, from an ancient language.

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Last Updated on Aug 2, 2024

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Tamil baby names reflect the rich history of the language and the culture. A Dravidian language, Tamil is one of the oldest in the world with ancient texts that date back to over 2000 years. According to Hindu legend, Tamil was the language of the gods, created by Lord Shiva and often personified as Tamil Thai, which means ‘Mother Tamil.’ It is primarily spoken in Tamil Nadu, certain parts of South East Asia, and Sri Lanka.

Tamil names often have symbolic meanings and draw inspiration from history, nature, gods, and even virtues. Moreover, ancient Tamil literature and mythology, too, play a major role in influencing these names. Some names have been taken from Sanskrit, another ancient Indian language, and adapted to suit Tamil sensibilities. Names such as Dhanush, Revathi, Vijay, and Aasin have made their mark for their insightful meanings. A few names like Kovalan, Govindan, Kundavi, and Yazhini are taken from Tamil mythology and literature. Another unique feature of Tamil baby names is that they are often inspired by Lord Murugan, who is worshiped exclusively by Tamilians. Names such as Velan and Devayani fall under this category.

As the Tamil diaspora spreads across the world, so does the popularity of these names. Non-Tamil speakers, too, are often influenced by the meaning and cadence of these beautiful names. Newer names have also started emerging to fit into new trends, thus showcasing the ageless quality of this ancient language. Full of depth and significance, Tamil baby names have managed to create their niche in the global arena amongst other newer and trendier ones. Each name manages to capture a slice of Tamil culture and carries forward the legacy of a great history.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Vera	Girl	Faith; Summer; Valor; Foreign
Kali	Girl	Goddess that destroys evil; The black one
Mira	Girl	A wonderous beauty; Peace; Sea; Ocean; Glory; Merry; Kindness; Behold
Mina	Girl	Precious blue stone; Love; A place near Makkah; Goddess of sun, moon, and stars; Fierce protector
Meera	Girl	Sea; Ocean; Boundary; Limit; Prosperous; Famous; Astonishing; Goodness
Jai	Boy	Victory; Supplanter; Healer
Leela	Girl	Play; Amusement; Princess of darkness
Anita	Girl	Grace; Favor; Mercy; Unguided
Viraj	Girl	Radiant; Bright; Regal; King; Ruling far and wide
Khalani	Unisex	Sea and sky; Earth

Hardin	Boy	Brave; Strong; Hardy; Valley of the hare; Affectionate
Josh	Boy	Jehovah is salvation; Pleasure; Satisfaction; Enthusiasm
Priya	Girl	Beloved; Loved one
Nila	Girl	Dark blue; Sapphire
Nikhil	Boy	Perfect; Complete; Whole; All-inclusive; Intact
Anjali	Girl	Offering with devotion to God; Salutation
Arjan	Boy	From Hadria; Procuring; Earning; Acquiring; Gaining; Golden life
Kavya	Girl	A poem
Uma	Girl	Flax; Night; Fame; Splendor; Tranquility
Yuvan	Boy	Youthful; God is gracious

Ashwin	Boy	Possessed of horses; A cavalier; Light
Aadvik	Boy	Unique
Sanaya	Girl	Ancient; One that will last forever
Kavin	Boy	Beautiful and handsome man; Beauty; Grace; Fairness
Nilah	Girl	Water hyacinth; Moon; Dark blue; Indigo
Viraaj	Girl	Radiant; Bright; Regal; King; Ruling far and wide
Indira	Girl	Beauty and goddess-like
Meena	Girl	Fish
Kiyaan	Boy	Royal; Kingship
Vikram	Boy	Stride; Pace; Valor

Anirudh	Boy	Uncontrolled; Unrestrained; Without Obstacles; Ungovernable; Grandson of Lord Krishna
Advay	Boy	Unique; Without second
Arun	Boy	Red; Reddish brown; Dawn; Chariot of the Sun; Eagle secret; Successful secret; Morning sun
Neela	Girl	Horn; Dark blue
Livi	Girl	Olive; Writing; Manuscript; To envy; Blue
Ramiyah	Boy	Lovely; Beautiful
Vega	Unisex	Meadow; Plain; Swooping eagle; Speed; Velocity; Quickness; Momentum; Dweller in the meadow; One who lives on the plain
Divya	Girl	A divine luster; Heavenly
Advith	Boy	One who is unique; Without a second
Anand	Boy	Joy; Happiness; Bliss; Delight; Pleasure; Harmony

Devi	Girl	Goddess; Divine; Divine power; Heavenly; Anything of excellence
Seyon	Unisex	God is gracious
Vaishnavi	Girl	Belonging to Vishnu; All-pervasive
Iniya	Girl	Sweet
Meenakshi	Girl	A girl with beautiful, fish-like eyes
Nilani	Girl	Moon; Indigo
Kamala	Girl	Lotus; Pale red
Aishwarya	Girl	Prosperity; Wealth
Shivin	Boy	Auspicious; Dear; Favorable
Iniyan	Girl	Sweetness; Sympathy; Agreeableness

Kitai	Unisex	Hope; North; Train; Obtain; Recover; Find
Nivan	Unisex	Steersman
Adithya	Boy	Sun God; Son of Aditi
Vishnu	Girl	All-pervasive; Hindu god of preservation and protection
Sanjay	Boy	Completely victorious; Triumphant
Sandip	Boy	Blazing; Lamp
Priyansh	Boy	The dearest part; Part of one's beloved
Kavan	Boy	Poem and water; Handsome
Katai	Unisex	Shortness of stature; Wood; Timber
Nalan	Boy	Descendant of Niallán

Srithik	Unisex	One who is well established in wealth and prosperity
Sanari	Girl	Sweet; Deceitful
Vani	Girl	Voice; Speech; Wish; Desire; Accustomed; God is gracious
Kanin	Boy	Little ancient one; Rabbit; The one who is to be seen
Yugan	Unisex	Youth; Lord Murugan
Nethra	Unisex	Vision; Eyes; Leader
Gautham	Boy	Enlightened; Wise; The best of cattle
Mohan	Boy	Charming; Infatuating; Bewitching
Sriram	Boy	Lord rama
Nalaya	Unisex	Gift; Beloved

Vivek	Boy	Wisdom; Discrimination; Distinction
Veeksha	Unisex	Vision; Knowledge
Pranshi	Girl	Another name of Goddess Lakshmi; Of great stature
Priyanka	Girl	Agreeable; Amiable
Rahul	Boy	Conqueror of all miseries; Able; Efficient
Aasha	Girl	Hope; Desire; Wish
Shyam	Boy	Dark blue; Black; Hindu god Krishna
Ahamed	Boy	Most praiseworthy; Most commendable
Akilan	Boy	Fearless, intelligent, beautiful
Nithya	Girl	Eternal; Always

Harini	Girl	Deer; Lord Vishnu; Goddess Lakshmi
Sanayah	Unisex	Old; Ancient; Long-lasting; Linger
Vijay	Unisex	Victorious or triumphant
Aadhiran	Boy	Leader; King
Sritha	Unisex	Dressed; Prepared; Enduring
Ramani	Girl	Beauty; Grace
Venba	Unisex	Melody; Classical Tamil poetry; Tree
Aavin	Unisex	Indestructible; Love; Strong
Sarath	Boy	Autumn
Devam	Unisex	Divine; Celestial; Supreme presence; Shining

Kayal	Unisex	Lake; Fish
Viva	Unisex	Alive; Life; Spring; Blow through
Nithin	Boy	Guidance; Moral conduct
Varish	Unisex	Ocean; Year; Rain
Aadhavan	Boy	Sun
Abishek	Boy	Ritual; Anointing
Nithila	Unisex	Shining like a pearl
Het	Boy	Love; Adore; Care for
Rayya	Girl	Quenched; Fresh or good scent; Treasures; Wealth; Possessions; Goods
Keerthana	Girl	Prayer; Hymn; Praise to God

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Tamil baby names offer a perfect blend of tradition, meaning, and beauty, while also keeping up with the times. These choices reflect the rich culture of the Tamil language and its people. When parents choose a Tamil name for their baby, they are making them a part of this ancient culture. With globalization, the linguistic barriers are disappearing, making Tamil names a global phenomenon. Parents all around the world choose Tamil baby names for their deep meanings and soothing pronunciation. Inspired by nature, mythology, history, and literature, Tamil baby names can quickly become a cherished choice among new parents.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are there any guidelines for naming conventions in Tamil culture?

Tamil names follow the convention of having their father’s first name as the last name or the initial before the personal name. These names follow the pattern of having the village name in initials followed by the patronym and the first name. Certain families may also use the caste name as the surname.

2. Do Tamil names have specific meanings related to gender?

While not all Tamil names are gendered, certain names tend to have gender-specific honorifics such as Tiru, Selvan, Arasan, Arasi, Tirumati, and Selvi attached to ensure gender distinction. For instance, Tamilarasi, meaning ‘queen of Tamil,’ is a feminine name, while Aadalarasan, meaning ‘one who attracts with his dance,’ is a masculine name.

Infographic: Popular Tamil Baby Names Inspired From Literature

Nature, legends, mythology, and history inspire Tamil baby names. Moreover, Tamil literature, which dates back several thousand years, influences names, too. Legends of these stories have inspired parents for centuries, driving them to have names that incorporate the values embodied by these characters. Check out the infographic below for some great Tamil baby names inspired by literature.

8 baby names inspired from tamil literature (infographic)

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.