The proposed change of Kerala’s official name to Keralam marks another chapter in the state’s long history of linguistic identity. The move has its roots in Malayalam usage and follows years of discussion over whether the state’s constitutional name should reflect the name traditionally used in the Malayalam language.
The Lok Sabha passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 by voice vote on August 11, amid protests from the Opposition. The Bill proposes changing the state’s name in the Constitution from Kerala to Keralam. The proposal now has to clear the Rajya Sabha and receive the President’s assent before it can become law.
Why Kerala Wants to Become Keralam
The Kerala Legislative Assembly has unanimously supported the name change twice, first in August 2023 and again in June 2024. The Assembly argued that Keralam is the name traditionally used for the state in Malayalam, while Kerala is the English form currently listed in the Constitution.
The Union Cabinet approved the proposal in February 2026, following which the Bill was sent to the state Assembly for its views. The Assembly unanimously backed the proposed change.
The debate over Kerala’s linguistic identity, however, is far older than the modern state itself.
Around six or seven centuries ago, scholars were already discussing the linguistic identity of the region. The Sanskrit treatise Lilatilakam classified the local Kerala language along with the languages associated with the Pandya and Chola regions under the broader Dravida category, while treating Andhra and Karnataka languages separately. This is considered one of the early assertions of Kerala’s distinct linguistic identity.
Where Do Kerala and Keralam Come From
The origins of the names Kerala and Keralam remain a subject of debate, with several theories surrounding their etymology.
One of the earliest known references appears in Emperor Ashoka’s Rock Edict II from around 257 BCE. The inscription mentions Keralaputra, a term understood as referring to the Chera dynasty, one of the major kingdoms of ancient southern India.
Another theory links the name to the words cheram and keram, while some linguistic interpretations connect it to an old Tamil root meaning to join and alam, meaning land or region.
The exact origin of the name remains contested, but the debate reflects the region’s long and complex linguistic history.
How Kerala Became a State
Malayalam-speaking communities were historically spread across several political territories, including Travancore, Cochin and the Malabar district of the Madras Presidency.
The movement to unite Malayalam-speaking areas gained momentum during the 1920s through the Aikya Kerala or United Kerala movement.
After Independence, Travancore and Cochin were merged in 1949 to form Travancore-Cochin. The subsequent reorganisation of Indian states along linguistic lines eventually led to the creation of the modern state of Kerala on November 1, 1956.
The new state brought together Malayalam-speaking regions from Travancore-Cochin and the Malabar area, while some southern territories were transferred to what became Tamil Nadu.
In Malayalam, the state has traditionally been known as Keralam, while Kerala became the name used in English and in the Constitution.
What Happens Next
Under Article 3 of the Constitution, Parliament has the authority to change the name of a state. A Bill for such a change can be introduced only on the President’s recommendation. The concerned state legislature is given an opportunity to express its views, although its opinion is not binding on Parliament.
In this case, Kerala’s Assembly has already given unanimous support to the proposal. The Lok Sabha passed the Bill on August 11 after it was introduced on August 10.
The Rajya Sabha must now approve the legislation, after which it will require the President’s assent. Only then will the constitutional name officially change from Kerala to Keralam.
Beyond questions of language, history and political sentiment, the proposed change could also involve practical costs. Government documents, signs, institutions and other official references may need to be updated if the state proceeds with a wider change.
At its heart, however, the move is about giving the state’s official constitutional identity the same name that has long been used in Malayalam.
