From Kerala to 'Keralaam': Why is Kerala's name being changed, inside story behind this

Kerala, popularly known as 'God's Own Country,' has been renamed Keralam—a move taken to emphasize its historical, cultural, and linguistic heritage. On Tuesday, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal to change the name of the southern state.

Experts say that 'Kerala' is a colonial-era spelling that became part of official records, but its correct pronunciation in Malayalam is 'Keralaam'.

Why is Kerala's name being changed?

On Tuesday, the Union Cabinet approved changing Kerala's name to Keralam. This has now added to the ongoing process of name changes.. The idea of changing the name of this state, which appears like a thick line on the map along the coast, has been in discussion for the past two or three years.

The word 'Kerala' is a combination of two words—'kera' means coconut in Malayalam, while 'alam' or 'ilam' means land of origin. Both words literally mean 'land of coconuts.'

Shaji A., professor of history at the University of Kerala, told The Print that 'Kerala' is a colonial-era spelling that became part of official records, while 'Keralaam' is the local pronunciation of the state's name.

“The British couldn't pronounce the spelling of names ending in 'm' or 'n', and they changed it to suit their convenience. But in Malayalam, it has always been Keralam,” he said, adding that although the nomenclature is different, the meaning remains the same.

Dr. K.N. Ganesh, a historian with the Kerala Council of Historical Research, said, “This means we are shifting the word from its British colonial meaning to its Malayalam linguistic meaning.”

While most experts say there is no objection to the Vijayan government's name change, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor raised a thorny question about the X. He wrote, “This is all good, no doubt, but for us English speakers, there's a small linguistic question: what about the words 'Keralites' and 'Keralites' for the inhabitants of the new 'Kerala'? 'Keralites' sounds like a microorganism, and 'Keralites' like a rare mineral...! @CMOKerala should launch a competition for new words as a result of this election fervor.”

This approval from the Centre comes more than a year and a half after the Pinarayi Vijayan-led state government passed a resolution to change the name of the state of "Kerala" to "Keralalam" on June 24, 2024.

Story behind the name Keralam

“After the approval of the Central Cabinet, the President of India will forward the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the Kerala State Legislative Assembly for expressing his views under the provisions of Article 3 of the Constitution of India. After receiving the views of the Kerala State Legislative Assembly, the Government of India will take further action and obtain the President's recommendation for introducing the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 in Parliament to change the name of the State of Kerala to 'Keralaam',” a government statement issued on Tuesday said.

Union Cabinet has approved changing Kerala's name to Keralam

This change reflects the state's true identity in the Malayalam language. The name change is based on mythology, historical context, and linguistic logic. From the story of Parashurama to the inscriptions of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, the name Kerala appears in many forms.

The Kerala government had stated in its 2024 resolution that the state was formed on November 1, 1956, and Kerala Piravi Day is also celebrated on the 1st.

However, the name of our state is listed as 'Kerala' in the First Schedule of the Constitution. "This Assembly unanimously appeals to the Central Government to take immediate steps to change the name to 'Kerala' in accordance with Article 3 of the Constitution," the state government said in the resolution.

Is the name 'Kera' related to coconut?

A well-known fact about Kerala is also associated with coconut fruits. The word 'Kera' means coconut tree and "Alam" is said to mean place. Thus, "Kerala" means "land of coconuts." Although historians link this to folk beliefs and geographical location, they cannot accept it as historical evidence.

The coastal region of Kerala has been known for coconut production for centuries. Foreign travelers and Arab traders also mention the greenery and abundance of coconuts in this area. Therefore, this explanation for the name seems simple to the common people.

Mountains, Sea, and "Charal," meaning mountain slope land

When discussing geographical facts, another fact seems strongly supported. People also believe that Kerala originated from the word "Charal" (mountain slope). The Western Ghats mountain ranges are an important part of Kerala's geography. Their slope towards the sea and then the vast plains extending towards the coast—the words "Charal," "Cherala," "Cheralam," and "Kerala"—seem to fit the journey.

Summary

Thus, "Kerala" is not just a geographical name, but a land of more than two thousand years. It is the result of a historical, cultural, and linguistic journey. Indeed, it is not simply a matter of adding a single letter, but a question of cultural pride that is linked to language and history. The journey of 'Kerala' is being seen as a return to identity, more than an administrative decision.