What is the Meaning of ‘Keralam'? Check Origin And History

According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), on February 24, 2026, the Union Cabinet approved renaming the state of Kerala to Kerelam. This change was driven by a desire to reflect the state's linguistic heritage. In the local language, Malayalam, the land has always been called Keralam.

The state government, under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, unanimously resolved in the Legislative Assembly to change the official English spelling to reflect the traditional local pronunciation.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the historical roots, the linguistic significance, and the cultural impact of the new name of Kerala.

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What is the Meaning of 'Keralam'?

Source: Incredible India

Keralam is the traditional and local name for the Indian state known as Kerala. The name "Kerala" became popular during British rule and is used in the Indian Constitution, but "Keralam" is what people call it in Malayalam, their native language.

Let's look at what the word means and where it comes from:

1. The Land of Coconuts (Kera)

The most common meaning comes from the word Kera, which means "coconut tree" in Malayalam.

• 'Kera' means 'coconut tree'.
• 'Alam' means 'land' or 'place'.

So, Keralam literally means "The Land of Coconut Trees". This name makes sense because coconut trees have shaped the state's economy and landscape for hundreds of years.

2. The Chera Dynasty

Historians also point to the Chera Dynasty, one of the three major kingdoms that ruled South India.

• In ancient Tamil and Malayalam, the word for the region ruled by the Cheras was Cheralam.
• Over time, the "Ch" sound transitioned to a "K" sound in different dialects and scripts, evolving from Cheralam to Keralam.

3. Key Historical Milestones

The name has taken different forms over the course of history:

• In the 3rd century BC, Emperor Ashoka referred to the region as Keralaputra, meaning 'Son of Kerala', in his rock edicts.
• Ancient Greek and Roman traders mentioned the coast as Caelobothras in their classical texts.
• In 2024, the state assembly decided to officially change the name of the state from Kerala to Keralam in all languages to honour its cultural and linguistic roots. By 2026, the new name appeared in official records and textbooks.

Why the "M" at the end?

In Malayalam, many nouns end with an 'm' sound, shown by the 'Anusvaram'. For people in the state, adding this "m" is more than a grammar rule. It helps them reclaim their identity and preserve the name as it has been pronounced for centuries.

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What is the Origin of Keralam?

There are several theories about where the name "Kerala" comes from. The oldest written record dates to 257 BCE, in Emperor Ashoka's Rock Edict II, which refers to the region as Keralaputra (meaning "son of Kerala").

Many scholars believe that "Keralam" evolved from "Cheram", the name of the ancient dynasty that ruled the area. The famous scholar Hermann Gundert noted that Keram is simply another version of Cheram. 

The root word 'Cher' means 'to join', and when combined with 'alam' (meaning 'land'), it creates 'Cheralam'—the land that joins the region between Gokarnam and Kanyakumari.

Why was the State of Kerala Renamed Keralam?

Changing the state's name from Kerala to Keralam was an important step that reflected cultural identity and pride in the local language. These are the main reasons for the change:

1. Linguistic Authenticity

The main reason is the local language, Malayalam. In Malayalam, the land has always been known as Keralam. The name "Kerala" became common during British rule as an anglicised version. By adding the 'm' back, the state is returning to its original name.

2. The "One Language, One Name" Goal

The state government aimed to make the state's name the same in every language. Before this, it was called "Kerala" in English and Hindi but "Keralam" in Malayalam. Now, the goal is for all official records to use the name 'Keralam' in all languages.

3. A Move Toward Decolonisation

Many Indian cities and states have changed their names, like Bombay becoming Mumbai or Madras becoming Chennai. These changes are part of a larger effort to replace colonial-era spellings with indigenous names.

4. Cultural Pride and Identity

The "m" at the end of Keralam, known as the Anusvaram in Malayalam script, is a special feature of Malayalam grammar. Saying the full name 'Keralam' is a way to respect the unique heritage of the Malayali people.

5. Unanimous Political Will

This change was not simply a suggestion. It was a formal political decision. In August 2023 and again in 2024, the Kerala Legislative Assembly passed a unanimous resolution, supported by all parties, calling on the Central Government to amend the First Schedule of the Constitution.

Quick Summary of the Transition

• Who initiated it? The Kerala State Assembly, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
• When did it start? The formal process began in 2023 and gained official momentum through 2024.
• Current Status (2026): As of 2026, the name 'Keralam' is being integrated into official Union government records, textbooks, and international maps.

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