Tamil virtual academy compiles baby name repository to promote cultural heritage

Time of India

06-05-2025

Thinking of a baby name and tired of suggestions to anagram you and your partner's names or mash them together? The Tamil Virtual Academy (TVA) offers a more meaningful alternative. To celebrate linguistic pride and cultural heritage , the state govt, in collaboration with TVA, is compiling a repository of Tamil baby names with meanings.The curated collection includes names of powerful kings, warriors, and noble heroes from the pre-Sangam era, such as Thithiyan (a chief of the Velir clan), Kari (elephant, symbolising strength), or Athan (lord or leader). Alternatively, draw inspiration from the post-Sangam era with names of revered scholars, poets, and literary characters such as Sundarar (the handsome one), Azhwarkadiyan (devotee of the Alvars, character in Ponniyin Selvan), and Thiruvilakku (sacred lamp, a metaphor for enlightenment).The initiative was launched just days after chief minister M K Stalin urged parents to give their children Tamil names. This call drew a pointed response from a frustrated netizen who highlighted the lack of accessible resources. In response, Stalin announced the creation of this curated name database.R Komahan, Joint Director at TVA, says a committee is being set up to go through literature available in the open domain from the pre-Sangam, post-Sangam, and modern era to find popular and interesting names. "The project is still in its discussion phase, but we estimate there are more than two lakh names that can potentially be a part of the database. Right now, we are working on consolidating the sources of texts," he says.The names are said to focus mainly on having Tamil roots and direct Tamil meanings without being influenced by other languages. Some popular ones, says Komahan, are Yazhini (melodious or graceful), Magizhmathi (one who is as pleasing and bright as the moon), Amizhthiniyan (one with a pleasant nature), Govendhan (king or lord), and Thiral (bravery, courage, or strength).The TVA is also developing a system to provide a set of combinations that, when inputted as 'a name of a king + with rich Tamil meaning', can suggest a list of names. "This, however, will take time for us to develop. But it is in the pipeline. This is just one way to let people know we have wonderful names in Tamil," he says.