We explored Tamil history from its origins through modern times to uncover these fabulous baby names for girls and boys.
Tamil names for girls and boys
The Tamil people inhabit parts of India's southernmost area, now known as Tamil Nadu. While Tamils originated there, millions have migrated to other parts of India and abroad, particularly to Sri Lanka and, more recently, to the U.S.
Ancient Tamil traditions — cultural, religious and linguistic — predate Christianity and drew influence from Dravidian sources. While some modern-day Tamils have embraced Islam and Christianity, most are Hindu, and many of the baby names we've rounded up — both ancient and modern — are of Hindu origin.
There are tens of thousands of Tamil names for girls and boys. Here's we've listed one name, with origin and meaning for each letter of the alphabet (except X):
Tamil names for girls
- Anindita: traditional Hindu name; means Beautiful
- Benisha: modern Hindu name; means Flashing
- Chandalina: traditional Hindu name; means Glorious
- Deevena: traditional Hindu name; means Blessing
- Ekani: traditional Hindu name; means One
- Firoza: modern Muslim name; means Turquoise
- Gunjita: modern Hindu name; means Humming of a Bee
- Hela: traditional Hindu name; means Moonlight
- Imani: traditional Hindu name; means Trustworthy
- Jesal: traditional Hindu name; means Poof
- Kanisa: traditional Hindu name; means Beautiful
- Linnet: modern Hindu name; means Singing Bird
- Mishti: modern Hindu name; means Sweet Person
- Nikisha: traditional Hindu name; means Small, Intelligent and Cautious
- Oma: traditional Hindu name; means Life Giver
- Padmalaya: modern Hindu name; means Lake of Lotuses
- Qaiser: modern Muslim name; means Mercy
- Rozmin: traditional Muslim name; means Rose
- Salena: modern Hindu name; means Moon
- Thanisha: traditional Hindu name; means Ambition
- Udita: traditional Hindu name; means One Who Has Risen
- Virta: traditional Hindu name; means Bravery
- Warda: traditional Muslim name; means Rose
- Yashi: modern Hindu name; means Successful
- Zia: traditional Muslim name; means Light
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Tamil names for boys
- Avatar: modern Hindu name; means Incarnation
- Badal: traditional Hindu name; means Cloud
- Chain: modern Hindu name; means Peace
- Darshal: traditional Hindu name; means Prayer of God
- Evon: traditional Hindu name; means Call
- Farooq: traditional Muslim name; means Distinguishes Truth from Falsehood
- Ghazi: traditional Muslim name; means Conqueror
- Hari: traditional Hindu name; means Sun
- Inder: traditional Sikh name; means Ruler of All that is Wild and Untamed
- Joshva: modern Hindu name; means Funny
- Khalid: traditional Muslim name; means Immortal
- Lemar: traditional Hindu name; means Talented One
- Mandeep: modern Hindu name; means Light of the Mind
- Numan: traditional Arabic name; means Blood
- Orion: traditional Hindu name; means Son of Fire
- Pradhi: modern Hindu name; means Intelligent
- Qasim: traditional Muslim name; means Divider
- Rachit: traditional Hindu name; means Invention
- Sambuddha: traditional Hindu name; means Wise
- Timir: traditional Hindu name; means Darkness
- Urmiya: traditional Hindu name; means Lord of Light
- Vandan: traditional Hindu name; means Salutation
- Waseem: traditional Muslim name; means Handsome
- Yuvvan: modern Hindu name; means Youthful
- Zaid: traditional Hindu name; means Great Abundance
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