68 South Indian Boy Names That Are Stories In Themselves

Cultivating legacies that celebrate the essence of southern culture.

Written by N Pravenchandra Singh, MA

Edited by Vidya Tadapatri, MSc (Biotechnology)

Fact-checked by Trisha Chakraborty, MA, BEd

Last Updated on Nov 26, 2024

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

South Indian baby boy names are like a fresh breath of air. These names are unique since they come from a land of diverse cultures, traditions, languages, and ancestors. These names originate from a very vibrant part of the country, India. South Indian names are a beautiful blend of cultural nuances and linguistic beauty. They are often inspired by elements of nature, mythological figures, deities, folklore, literature, and art.

Just like every other region in India has its own naming conventions and traditions, South Indian people also follow some particular traditions when naming a baby. According to naming traditions in the South, a child’s name would consist of four elements. The first is a place of origin, the second is the child's father's name, the third is the given name of the child, and the fourth denotes the name of the caste. Another tradition regarding the names is the addition of birthplace in the given name to indicate the link between the two (2).

Another interesting concept in the naming of South Indian names is the double-barrel names. Here two separate names are combined into one name. Both these names usually have a very melodious tone and lovely meanings. For example, Krishna-dwaipayana, meaning ‘A dark wise’ or ‘Sage Vyasa. Adithan, which stands for ‘the leader who belongs to the sun,’ reflects brightness and energy and signifies the connection with nature. The name Nallasivan, which means ‘the graceful Lord Shiva,’ symbolizes the connection of names with God.

While most South Indian names are traditional, some of these names have evolved into modern sensibilities and made parents choose names that represent their ancestors while also having a contemporary touch. If you love how beautifully these names blend in today’s times, then go ahead and explore this list of baby names made just for you.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Annamalai	Boy	One of many names of Lord Shiva
Abhinavan	Boy	Young; Fresh or modern
Abhinayan	Boy	One who is an actor; One who acts
Abhiseka	Boy	The method of purifying and cleaning
Adalarachan	Boy	The monarch or king of dance
Adalarasen	Boy	The master of dance or king of dance
Adaleru	Boy	A brave man; One who has never been destroyed
Adhibhan	Boy	A leader or one who is born to win
Adhibu	Boy	One who is superior to all
Adhiyamaan	Boy	The King of the sun; A Solar king

Adithan	Boy	The leader who belongs to the Sun
Jeyasilan	Boy	Victorious warrior; Lord Shiva
Kaalappan	Boy	The father of time or the Lord of time
Koyilkani	Boy	Beautiful voice like koyal, gift from God
Krishna-dwaipayana	Boy	A dark wise or sage Vyasa
Kuppuram	Boy	The princely state, or the highest king
Meyappan	Boy	An honest and true person
Mohith	Boy	Infatuated; Fascinated; Charmed; Attracted
Mooppan	Boy	A prime person, a head of community
Moovendan	Boy	A ruler of the rulers; One who rules the other kings

Nalladurai	Boy	Lover of mankind; Honest person
Nallaiyan	Boy	Honest person; Having good disposition
Nallalagan	Boy	Handsome and smart man
Nallamuthu	Boy	Gracious pearl
Nallanban	Boy	Pleasant forest
Nallannan	Boy	Gracious brother
Nallaperumal	Boy	Gracious Lord Venkateshwara
Nallappa	Boy	Graceful father or parents
Nallappan	Boy	Graceful father
Nallarasan	Boy	Tasty juice

Nallasivan	Boy	Lord Shiva
Nallathambi	Boy	Gracious young brother
Nallavan	Boy	Generous person
Nallenan	Boy	Person with good deeds
Nallisami	Boy	Possessor of good health
Nallusami	Boy	Always free from illness
Namberuman	Boy	Colored person; Lord Shiva
Nambi	Boy	Self-confident; Curative herb
Nambiyandan	Boy	Well-known person
Nambu	Boy	God; Creator of mankind

Nambudiri	Boy	One who has mastered the Vedas
Namirthan	Boy	Wealth of popularity; Lord Shiva
Nammurthi	Boy	Respected by name
Nandil	Boy	One with the power of a bull
Nandin	Boy	Delightful person
Nandishwara	Boy	Lord of all bulls
Nanjaiah	Boy	Mercy of God
Nanjaiya	Boy	Merciful God; Lord Shiva
Nanjappa	Boy	One who is merciful; Lord Shiva
Nanjappan	Boy	Lord Shiva; The merciful

Nanjayyan	Boy	The great Lord Shiva, who mercy others
Nanjeyan	Boy	The greatest lord; Lord Shiva
Nanjundan	Boy	Divine God Shiva
Nanjundeswar	Boy	Lord Shiva; One who consumes poisonous liquid to safeguard the world
Nanjundewsar	Boy	Lord Shiva; One who consumes poisonous liquid to safeguard the world
Nanmaaran	Boy	Compassionate and fearless
Nanmoliyan	Boy	Flamboyant
Nanmugan	Boy	Precious individual
Nanmuthu	Boy	Precious gemstone
Nannan	Boy	Bold and daring

Nathasami	Boy	Supreme Lord
Nayar	Boy	Who belongs to the Malabar coast
Nayath	Boy	A leading person; A leader
Neelmegam	Boy	The colored skin of Lord Krishna
Nerrivaanan	Boy	The one who is straightforward and open hearted
Nithilesh	Boy	The God of pearls
Nivedhana	Boy	A humble request
Padmanaban	Boy	The lotus-naveled; An epithet of Lord Vishnu

South Indian baby boy names are a wonderful fusion of cultural heritage, practices, and languages. These names represent the region and have a charm of their own. Although they are referred to as South Indian names, their usage is not restricted to only that region. People from all over the world would love to use these names for their little angels. If you are someone who is proud and amused by South Indian culture, then incorporating these names would be a great way to honor the culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are some traditional or cultural considerations when choosing a South Indian baby boy name?

When selecting a name for your baby boy from South India, it is customary to include the village of origin, the father's name, the chosen given name, and the caste name. Many parents may seek to pay homage to paternal grandfathers or esteemed ancestors, upholding the cherished family heritage. Moreover, names embodying positive attributes, virtues, or desired qualities for their child are often favored. For instance, the widely embraced name Arya exemplifies 'noble,' while Prakash radiates with the profound significance of 'light.'

2. What are some historical or mythological South Indian baby boy names?

Selecting names for baby boys in South Indian culture becomes an enchanting journey intertwined with mythological grandeur. Eeraj, evoking imagery of the 'son of wind-god,' Karthikeyan, embodying the essence of 'to cut,' and Manikandan, resplendent as 'one with a bell around his neck,' stand as profound symbols of this rich heritage. Karthikeyan, a divine appellation synonymous with the deity Skanda, and Manikandan, an epithet adorning the revered Hindu God Ayyappan (1), further illuminate the depths of Hindu mythology.

Infographic: Refreshing South Indian Names For Baby Boys

South Indian baby names are unique and offer an alluring story to tell. These names are often inspired by nature, mythologies, culture, and historical figures. Each name has deep-rooted meanings. If you are searching for names that sound melodious and have interesting meanings, check out this infographic and choose your favorite one for your son.

colorful south zindian names for your charming son (infographic)

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

About Lord Ayyappa.
https://sabarimala.kerala.gov.in/about-lordayyappa
Understanding Indian names in naming conventions discovery and standardization.
https://www.las.org.sg/wp/blog/bulletin/understanding-indian-names-in-naming-conventions-discovery-and-standardisation/

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Author Editor Fact Checker

N Pravenchandra SinghMA

Praven is an English literature expert. He did his bachelors in English from Delhi University and masters in English from Manipur University. Besides, he holds a certificate in multimedia design and content creation from NIELIT Imphal and presented papers at various national and international conferences.

Read full bio of N Pravenchandra Singh

Vidya TadapatriMSc (Biotechnology)

Vidya did her post-graduation in Biotechnology from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Her interest in scientific research and writing made her pursue a career in writing, in which she now has over five years of experience. She has done certified biotechnology-related training programs under renowned organizations such as Centre For Cellular & Molecular Biology and Department of Biotechnology.

Read full bio of Vidya Tadapatri

Trisha ChakrabortyMA, BEd

Trisha worked as a schoolteacher for three years before taking up professional writing in 2021. She completed her masters in English from the University of Calcutta and bachelors in Education from the University of Burdwan.

Read full bio of Trisha Chakraborty