Kerala becomes Keralam: Origin of name and why Centre backed long-standing demand ahead of assembly election

The term ‘Keralam’ originates from the Malayalam words ‘Kera’, signifying coconut, and ‘Alam,’ translating to land.

• Union Cabinet approves renaming Kerala to Keralam.
• Move seen as BJP's bid to woo Kerala voters before elections.
• Name change awaits parliamentary approval to take effect.

Did our AI summary help?

In a major decision ahead of the assembly election, the Union Cabinet on Tuesday changed the name of Kerala to Keralam.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who moved the resolution in 2024, had urged the Union government to change the name of Kerala to “Keralam” in all languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

The demand to rename the state can be traced to 2010.  Then Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan informed the state Assembly that his government was exploring the possibility of changing the name of Kerala.

However, the move ahead of the assembly election may be seen as an attempt by the BJP-led NDA at the Centre to woo Kerala voters.

Origin of ‘Keralam’

In Malayalam, the state is reportedly written as “Keralam” in its native script. However, in English and several other languages, it is commonly read, pronounced, and rendered as “Kerala”.

The term 'Keralam' originates from the Malayalam words "Kera," signifying coconut, and "Alam," translating to land.

The origins of the word “Keralam” are traced to multiple theories. One view links it to the ancient Chera dynasty, suggesting that the term evolved from “Chera-alam,” meaning “land of the Cheras,” which gradually transformed into “Kera-alam.”

According to Culture and Media: Ecocritical Explorations by PS Sachindev, another interpretation connects the name to coconut cultivation.

How can the names of states be changed?

Article 3 of the Constitution provides for alteration of names of existing states. According to Article 3, Parliament may by law alter the name of any state.

The Centre will now to bring in a constitutional amendment bill in Parliament. Only after parliamentary approval does the name change take effect in official documents.

In 2011, Orissa changed into Odisha under the Orissa (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2010. West Bengal has also tried to change the name of the state to “Paschim Banga” in 2011 and 2016. However, the request was turned down by the Centre in 2020.

Is this a pre-election move?

The NDA's vote share in Kerala has risen steadily, from around 3% in 2001 to 12–15% between 2016 and 2021. However, in the 2021 Assembly election, Kerala said no to BJP as national party failed to win a single seat.

Ahead of this year’s assembly election, the Centre’s move to rename Kerala signals BJP’s attempt to expand its political footprint in a state where it has historically struggled electorally.

Also, supporting a long-standing demand rooted in Malayalam linguistic identity allows the party to position itself as respectful of regional culture. This can counter any perception that the BJP only  prioritises a national narrative over local identities.

Also, the BJP often frames itself as a proponent of decolonisation of public spaces and names.