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Malayalam Baby Boy Names: The Complete Guide With Meanings (മലയാളം ആൺകുട്ടികളുടെ പേരുകൾ)

Baby Care
Written by - Mylo BabyLast updated: Sep 4, 2026
Read time8 min

Malayalam boy names sound like Kerala itself: soft, flowing, and rooted in devotion. From the classic -an endings of Madhavan and Raghavan to Kannan of Guruvayur and Manikandan of Sabarimala, and on to modern names loved across the state's Hindu, Christian, and Muslim homes, this guide covers trending, classic, devotional, modern, and short names for your little one, all with meanings.

Trending Malayalam Baby Boy Names (ജനപ്രിയ മലയാളം ആൺകുട്ടികളുടെ പേരുകൾ)

Name

Name in Malayalam

Meaning

Sreehari

ശ്രീഹരി

Lord Vishnu

Abhiram

അഭിരാം

Pleasing, most handsome

Aadith

ആദിത്

First; lord of the sun

Niranjan

നിരഞ്ജൻ

Faultless, pure

Aadhav

ആധവ്

Ruler

Dhyan

ധ്യാൻ

Meditation, one at peace

Ameya

അമേയ

Boundless, beyond measure

Nivin

നിവിൻ

An offering to God

Hrishikesh

ഹൃഷികേശ്

Lord Vishnu, master of the senses

These names combine deep meanings with the soft, flowing sound that makes Malayali names instantly recognisable.

Classic Malayalam Boy Names Ending in -an (പരമ്പരാഗത മലയാളം ആൺകുട്ടികളുടെ പേരുകൾ)

The -an ending is Kerala's signature, turning pan-Indian names into unmistakably Malayali ones.

Name

Name in Malayalam

Meaning

Madhavan

മാധവൻ

Lord Krishna, the sweet one

Raghavan

രാഘവൻ

Lord Rama, of the Raghu line

Gopalan

ഗോപാലൻ

Lord Krishna, the cowherd

Raman

രാമൻ

Lord Rama; pleasing

Mohanan

മോഹനൻ

The charming one, a form of Krishna

Devotion-Inspired Malayalam Boy Names (ഭക്തി പ്രേരിത മലയാളം ആൺകുട്ടികളുടെ പേരുകൾ)

From Guruvayur's Kannan to Sabarimala's Manikandan, Kerala's most beloved deities live on in its sons' names.

Name

Name in Malayalam

Meaning

Kannan

കണ്ണൻ

Kerala's own beloved name for Lord Krishna

Manikandan

മണികണ്ഠൻ

Lord Ayyappa, the one with the golden bell

Hariharan

ഹരിഹരൻ

Born of Vishnu and Shiva

Murali

മുരളി

Krishna's flute

Sreeram

ശ്രീരാം

Lord Rama, the charming

Modern Malayalam Boy Names Across Communities (ആധുനിക മലയാളം ആൺകുട്ടികളുടെ പേരുകൾ)

Kerala's Hindu, Christian, and Muslim families all speak Malayalam, and today's short modern names travel easily across all three.

Name

Name in Malayalam

Meaning

Aadidev

ആദിദേവ്

The first lord

Nirvan

നിർവാൻ

Liberation, salvation

Evan

ഇവാൻ

God has been gracious

Izaan

ഇസാൻ

Obedience

Rehan

റെഹാൻ

Fragrant one

Short Malayalam Baby Boy Names, 3 to 5 Letters (ചെറിയ മലയാളം ആൺകുട്ടികളുടെ പേരുകൾ)

Name

Name in Malayalam

Meaning

Sethu

സേതു

The sacred bridge; the warrior

Anuj

അനുജ്

Younger brother

Ajai

അജയ്

Invincible

Arun

അരുൺ

The rising sun

Aadi

ആദി

Beginning, first

Why Do Classic Malayali Boy Names End in -an? (മലയാളി ആൺകുട്ടികളുടെ പേരുകൾ -ൻ ൽ അവസാനിക്കുന്നത് എന്തുകൊണ്ട്?)

The -an ending is Malayalam's masculine suffix, and it is what makes Krishnan, Madhavan, and Raman feel like Kerala's own even though the roots are pan-Indian. A generation ago nearly every Malayali boy carried it. Today many families choose shorter forms like Dhyan or Aadith for everyday life, yet the -an names are returning as proud, classic choices, often honouring a grandfather while giving the child a name no other state can quite claim.

How Do You Choose the Perfect Malayalam Name for Your Baby Boy? (നിങ്ങളുടെ മകന് അനുയോജ്യമായ മലയാളം പേര് എങ്ങനെ തിരഞ്ഞെടുക്കാം?)

  • Does the meaning reflect what you hope for your son, whether that is devotion, peace, or strength?

  • How does the name sound alongside your family name when said out loud?

  • Do you want the classic Malayali -an form, like Madhavan, or a shorter modern one, like Dhyan?

  • Does it shorten into a nickname you are happy with?

  • Is there a temple, a deity, or a family elder worth honouring with the name?

  • Does it still feel timeless rather than trend-driven?

What Are Frequently Asked Questions About Malayalam Baby Boy Names? (മലയാളം ആൺകുട്ടികളുടെ പേരുകളെക്കുറിച്ച് പതിവായി ചോദിക്കുന്ന ചോദ്യങ്ങൾ)

What are the top 5 Malayalam baby boy names?
Sreehari, Abhiram, Aadith, Dhyan, and Nivin are among the most loved choices right now.

Which Malayalam boy names honour Lord Ayyappa?
Manikandan is Lord Ayyappa's own name, and Hariharan honours his divine parents, Vishnu and Shiva.

What does Kannan mean?
Kannan is Kerala's own affectionate name for Lord Krishna, the deity of the beloved Guruvayur temple.

Do Kerala's Christian and Muslim families use Malayalam names too?
Yes. Modern names travel across communities easily, with Evan loved in Christian homes, Izaan and Rehan in Muslim homes, and all of them sounding beautifully Malayali.

What is a good short, easy Malayalam boy name?
Sethu, Arun, Aadi, Anuj, and Ajai are all short, simple, and rich in meaning.

Also Featured on mylofamily.com (mylofamily.com ൽ കൂടുതൽ)

For the full picture across both genders, see the Malayalam Baby Names complete guide.
For your little princess, see the Malayalam Baby Girl Names article.
You can also explore thousands more names with the Mylo baby names finder.

Choosing a name for your son is one of the first meaningful decisions you will make as a parent. Malayalam boy names offer a soft, devoted blend of temple heritage and modern ease, so take your time and pick the one that feels right.

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Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Consult with a physician or other health care professional if you have any concerns or questions about your health. If you rely on the information provided here, you do so solely at your own risk.

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