Boy · Tamil
Athiyan
அதியன்Say it UH-thee-yun
Athiyan meaning
Athiyan (அதியன்) is a Tamil boy's name.
One who is pre-eminent
Also used to mean: supreme, first, superior
Athiyan (அதியன்) is listed in the Tamil Lexicon as "one who is pre-eminent", from Sanskrit adhika, "exceeding, superior", and is cited from the Tevaram, where the poet addresses Shiva of Tiruvavaduthurai with it. Name lists give it as "supreme" or "superior", which fits. The name also recalls Neduman Anji of the Athiyaman line, the ancient chieftain of Thagadur praised by the poet Avvaiyar, although the Lexicon treats that name as a separate word. It is also spelled Adhiyan.
Source: Tamil Lexicon, University of Madras (1924–36), p. 76 · entry atiyaṉ (அதியன்) · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Tamil Lexicon, atiyaṉ, p. 76 · Tamil Lexicon, atiyamāṉ, p. 75 · Wikipedia, Athiyaman
Spellings
Athiyan · Adhiyan · Athiyaan