2474+ Tamil Baby Names with Meanings

Calling All Tamil Parents-to-Be: Let's Name That Little Wonder! 

 
Congratulations on your upcoming bundle of joy! Deciding a Tamil baby name for your young one isn't just about ticking a box on a form. It's a big deal! Whatever name you choose will stick with your little star forever, so you want it to be perfect (and maybe a bit trendy?)—feeling the pressure? No worries, Mom&Tiny will help you tread this incredible journey.

 
Through our research and conversations with our Tamil friends, we realised that modern parents are all about finding trendy names that still honour their vibrant culture. Names inspired by gods and goddesses, beautiful nature, or even influential personalities from Tamil's rich history are trendy among Tamil parents nowadays.

 
So, let's find that perfect name from our exhaustive list of 2474 Tamil baby names that capture that Tamil magic!

 

 

How Tamils Name their Babies?

 

Birth of a newborn is a momentous occasion in any Indian family, and most Tamil Hindu families celebrate the birth with a beautiful tradition called the Namkaranam (or Peyarsutu Vizha).

 

Two key ceremonies mark the celebration of a newborn birth in the Tamil household: the Namakarnam or Peyarsutu Vizha (naming ceremony) and the Thottil (cradle) ceremony.

 

Peyarsutu Vizha (the naming ceremony) serves two important purposes:

 

• Officially introduce the newborn to the family and community and celebrate their arrival by showering them with love and blessings.
• Bestowing the little star with a meaningful name: The right name is believed to have the potential to have a significant positive impact on the child's life. Hence, name selection is given careful consideration in Tamil households.

 

What is Namakarnam or Peyarsutu Vizha?

Namakarnam, or the naming ceremony, is an important ritual for a newborn in most Indian cultures (including Tamil). It is one of the 16 samskaras, or rituals, that are crucial milestones or stages in a Hindu's life.

 

"Naamkaran" comes from two Sanskrit words: 'Naam' meaning 'name' and 'Karan' meaning 'to create'. The ceremony is about giving a name that will be their label for life and will also play a vital role in shaping their identity and future.

 

Timing of Peyarsutu Vizha:

The exact timing of the Namkaranam ceremony can vary even for different Tamil families. Mostly, it's held on the 30th day after childbirth. But some families may choose a different date based on advice from their priest or allow more time for the mother and child to recover. The most important factor is the well-being of both mother and baby.

 

Customs and Rituals of Namakarnam

According to old Tamil customs, the child is given two names: the Vivahara Nama (common name), which is known to all, and the Ragasiya Nama (secret name), which is known only to family members. The hidden name, or the Ragasiya name, is believed to protect the child from evil spirits.

 

Modern Tamil parents often select names based on the child's birth star (nakshatra) or in honour of ancestors. Names reflecting noble qualities, wealth, and divine blessings are preferred. Some families name their child after gods, revered ancestors, or elders in the family, believing these names will protect the child from the evil eye and gods and ancestors will forever shower blessings on the newborn.

 

On the day of the Namakarnam, family and friends gather at the newborn's home or at a temple. The ceremony begins with a ritual bath for the baby, symbolically performed to ward off evil spirits. This involves the baby's Athai (father's sister) performing a mock bath for a stone grinder, representing the baby, to deceive any lurking spirits.

 

A pandit (priest) conducts a puja or havan, chanting mantras and offering prayers for the child's well-being. The selected name is then written in rice on a bronze dish. During the puja, the father whispers the name in the baby's ear three times, followed by other family members whispering the name in the baby's ear. This act symbolizes the official introduction of the name to the child and the world.

 

The ceremony is concluded with all family members showering their blessings and gifts to the baby.

 

The Cradle Ceremony (Thottil)

The Thottil ceremony (commonly known as the cradle ceremony) is another important ritual for newborns in Tamil households. It marks the baby's formal entry into the family and community. It usually happens after the Namkaranam ceremony, but most parents prefer to hold it on the same day as Namakarnam.

Customs and Rituals of Thottil

The baby's cradle or the hammock is beautifully decorated with flowers, silk, and other traditional decorations to make it auspicious and inviting.
 

The star of the day is then dressed in new clothes and adorned with jewellery (gold, silver, or any other precious metal) chosen depending on the family's affluence. These ornaments are often gifted to the baby by both paternal and maternal grandparents and other family members as blessings (a widespread practice in Indian households). Black bangles and black thread are also put on the baby to protect against the evil eye.

The baby is then gently placed inside the decorated wooden swinging bed (the cradle), and family members and friends take turns swinging it and enjoying themselves while doing so. By swinging the newborn's cradle, everyone blesses the baby and commits their lifelong support to the child.

Both ceremonies conclude with a grand feast, where family and friends gather to welcome and shower their blessings on the new addition. Delicious traditional Tamil dishes are prepared and served, making the occasion memorable.