Boy · Tamil · Hindu
Mariappan
மாரியப்பன்Say it MAA-ri-yap-pun
- Meaning
- Māri (the goddess Mari, Mariamman) joined with appaṉ (father; an endearment) Tamil Lexicon, p. 3173
- Say it
- MAA-ri-yap-pun
- Written
- மாரியப்பன்
- Other spellings
- Mariyappan, Mariappa
Mariappan
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Mariappan meaning
Mariappan (மாரியப்பன்) is a Tamil and Hindu boy's name.
Māri (the goddess Mari, Mariamman) joined with appaṉ (father; an endearment)
Mariappan (மாரியப்பன்) honours Mariamman, the village mother goddess of Tamil Nadu who is prayed to for rain and for protection from smallpox and fevers. It joins māri, which the Tamil Lexicon gives as the goddess of smallpox and as Durga, with appaṉ, "father", also used fondly for a little boy. Tamil has a separate native māri meaning rain or cloud, a link often felt in the goddess's worship. The best-known bearer is Mariyappan Thangavelu, the Paralympic high-jump champion from Salem district.
Source: Tamil Lexicon, University of Madras (1924–36), p. 3173 · entry māri² (மாரி) · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Tamil Lexicon, māri (மாரி), p. 3173 · Tamil Lexicon, appaṉ (அப்பன்), p. 85 · Wikipedia, Mariamman · Wikipedia, Mariyappan Thangavelu
Famous namesakes
- Mariyappan Thangavelu, Paralympic high-jump gold medallist
How the name is built
- Mari மாரி: the goddess of smallpox; Durga (also, in a native word, rain)
Tamil Lexicon 3173 - Appan அப்பன்: father; an endearing term for a child
Tamil Lexicon 85
Spellings
Mariappan · Mariyappan · Mariappa