Sunday, February 18, 2007

Malayalam Christian names and their English equivalent

Malayalam Christian names and their English equivalent...

Below are some christian names which was normal in kerala years back. Now u will find these name only among old people...And nowadays people rarely give kerala christian names to their children. Most mallu christians are shameful about it. But i hope the tradition will come back :)




So am Jacob :)...

24 comments:

Pinkpearl said...

Awesome article.....

Lancaster Gardener said...

Very useful! As a young man growing up in Bangalore I was often embarrassed by name as it had ‘Varghese’ ‘Muthalaly’ ‘Malayil’ and ‘Lukose’ in it. I wonder why it was the case. In course of time I have learnt to embrace it… it has been a process!

wanderlust said...

Don't agree with you completely. Lots of kids today have the malayali version of christian names, especially in the Central Kerala belt. my husband keeps making fun of me saying my family is too lazy find a new name that every other boy is named either chacko or mathan and every other girl is a mariam or anna :-)

Alex said...

Hello Monu... This is quite interesting..could you give me the source of that image (looks like some encyclopedia) ?

Lina said...

Bravo! Was looking online for some source of legitimate, old-fashioned (or shall we say 'traditional'?) Mallu Christian names, as we hope to name a baby sometime in the next year or so... and I want our baby to have a unique name in the US, while fitting in in Kerala and keeping a bit of their culture alive. If you could find more like that would be fantastic! (I supposed I should also shake my hubby's family tree for names) Thanks!

Anonymous said...

great to see this article.
do you know the English version for Aleyamma?

monu said...

"eli" and "eliyamma" is same. Both of them are malayalam version of "Elizabeth". it was a tradtion among "suriyani christians" (St thomas christians) to add "achan" (for males) and Amma (for females) with their names. so "eli" and "eliyamma" are same.

Anonymous said...

Hi,

Do you know the English version of Achamma?

Thanks in advance

monu said...

achamma and shoshamma is susan/susannah in english ...

regarding the name "achamma"..its actually "achi"+"amma"..and is derived from the name "susanna" (susan in english language) . Susanna is mentioned in the book of thobith in bible :)

Rand said...

Thanks for the list. Of course it seems like everyone I know in Kerala is named some variation of Baby. (My father is named Kunimon, one of my uncles is named Mony, and my other uncle is just named Baby)

Anonymous said...

OOoooodduu thayollii ... what is the english equivalent of ninde thallaa

gracious said...

I was myself looking for a traditional name and find your article fascinating.....sad that we are loosing our identity, as names are a very important part of our identity....if you read Daniel in the Bible you will see how the jews were forced to change their names so that they loose their identity.....careful folks

Unknown said...

Hi All,
Nice blog.. :)
Ukru is my dads name, and we are from Kunnamkulam, Near Guruvayoor, Trichur. Would like to know the Eglish eqivalent of my dad's name "UKRU"

Aji Avarachan said...

i believe, the equivalent English Name for Avrachan is Abraham.


www.myArchitecturalDreams.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Hi all
Very good article.
Does anyone know the english version of kunjamma or kunjujamma?

Rosh said...

Very interesting article.
Good to find out what the names of my relatives mean.

Cheers,
Rosh

Cheryl said...

Hi,

My dad is from Kerala, but chose not to give me a Malayalam name. I have always wanted one. My name is Cheryl Kristina and I hate to whine, but I am going to anyway. I want a first name and am looking for suggestions that start with Ch or C. Can you provide some. I think these names are cool. My father changed his name from Kuriakose to Kris. I never liked that and it doesn't fit him. But it is his name and choice. Anyway suggestions are welcome. No hurry.

Cheryl

Cheryl said...

Hi,

My dad is from Kerala, but chose not to give me a Malayalam name. I have always wanted one. My name is Cheryl Kristina and I hate to whine, but I am going to anyway. I want a first name and am looking for suggestions that start with Ch or C. Can you provide some. I think these names are cool. My father changed his name from Kuriakose to Kris. I never liked that and it doesn't fit him. But it is his name and choice. Anyway suggestions are welcome. No hurry.

Cheryl

Cheryl said...

Hi,

My dad is from Kerala, but chose not to give me a Malayalam name. I have always wanted one. My name is Cheryl Kristina and I hate to whine, but I am going to anyway. I want a first name and am looking for suggestions that start with Ch or C. Can you provide some. I think these names are cool. My father changed his name from Kuriakose to Kris. I never liked that and it doesn't fit him. But it is his name and choice. Anyway suggestions are welcome. No hurry.

Cheryl

Cheryl said...

Sorry I didn't realize it had posted and can't erase it. One time was enough. If someone can take it out, that is great.

Cheryl

Malayalam Christians said...

Very useful

Anonymous said...

Hi,

Please let me know the equivalent christian name of 'Valsa'

Thanks,
Agish

Unknown said...

Equavalent name of thresiamma?
Is it derived from St.Theresa?

Unknown said...

Awesome article.. Could you please tell me the origin of Leelamma? Expecting your reply.
:)