Kerala Official Name Change Update: Will the name of Kerala be changed to Keralam in the election year? The central government started considering the proposal. A new page in history is about to open with the Constitution, Article 3 and Malayalam identity.
Kerala Name Change: The proposal to change the name of Kerala to “Keralaam” has now become a topic of discussion at the Centre. This proposal was first presented in the Assembly by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in 2024. His argument was that the word ‘Kerala’ in English does not fully reflect the actual language and cultural identity of the state. In Malayalam it has always been called “Keralaam”. If approved, it would alter the First Schedule under Article 3 of the Constitution and make “Keralaam” the official name of the state.
Why do you want to change your name?
Moving the resolution, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the real name of the state is “Kerala” in Malayalam, but in the Constitution and English records it is written only as “Kerala”. They argue that the English translation does not accurately reflect the language and historical identity of the state. Vijayan said, “We want the name in the Constitution to be changed to reflect it in Malayalam form in all languages, so that our cultural and historical identity is protected.” The proposal sent to the Center also said that the change should be applicable to all languages in the Eighth Schedule.
Political and electoral background
This proposal has come before the state assembly elections. Elections for the 140-member assembly are to be held in Kerala before May 2026. In this election year, the proposal to change the name has become a part of political discussion. There is political support too: Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar supported the initiative, calling it a move to showcase the state’s cultural roots.
How does the constitutional process work?
To change name:
- The state assembly passes the resolution.
- The central government starts the process of amending the Constitution under Article 3.
- The amendment is passed in the Parliament.
- After approval by the President, the new name comes into effect in all official records and languages.
- If all goes well, Kerala will now appear as “Keralaam” in all government and cultural documents.
What will the people of the new name “Keralaam” be called: Keralites, Keralmians or Keralamen?
Changing the name of Kerala to “Keralaam” is being considered as a step to strengthen the language and cultural identity. It is yet to be approved under the constitutional process, but the political and cultural impact is already visible. The move will join a series of states and cities that have decided to change names in recent decades to honor local language and heritage. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor wrote on social media platform “Carlamite” sounds like a microbe and “Carlamian” sounds like a rare earth mineral…!
@CMOKerala can start a competition for new words arising from this election enthusiasm.