Today marks Onam, one of the most beloved and culturally important festivals celebrated across Kerala. On this special occasion, news about a proposed change to the state’s name has also attracted attention, with reports claiming that Kerala will officially be known as “Keralam” from August 25.
According to reports from CNN-News18, the Union Home Ministry has issued a Gazette notification regarding the change. The notification reportedly states that the Kerala Alteration of Name Act, 2026 will come into force from Tuesday, making the name “Keralam” official.
The move follows a long process that began with the Kerala Legislative Assembly. The state assembly had passed a resolution in 2024 requesting the Centre to change the state’s official name from Kerala to Keralam.
The proposal was subsequently forwarded to the central government for consideration. President Droupadi Murmu had also referred the matter to the state legislature for its views, following which the assembly adopted another resolution supporting the proposed change.
The name-change bill was later introduced in Parliament. The Lok Sabha passed the legislation on August 11, followed by the Rajya Sabha on August 12, according to the reports.
During the discussion in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai explained the background of the proposal. He said that the Kerala Assembly had passed a resolution seeking the necessary legal changes to rename the state.
The proposed name “Keralam” is closely associated with the Malayalam name traditionally used for the state. For many Malayalis, the word carries a strong cultural and linguistic connection and reflects how the state is referred to in Malayalam.
The reported timing of the change has also made the development particularly interesting, as it comes around the celebration of Onam. The festival brings Malayalis around the world together to celebrate their culture, traditions, food and heritage.
The name change is therefore not simply about replacing one word with another. Supporters see it as a recognition of Kerala’s linguistic and cultural identity, while others may question whether changing the official name is necessary and what practical impact it will have.
The change could eventually require updates across government documents, official records, signboards and other references once the new name comes into wider official use.
For people in Kerala, however, the discussion goes beyond administrative paperwork. “Keralam” is already deeply familiar to Malayalam speakers, making the proposed change feel more like an official recognition of a name that has long existed in the state’s own language.
As Kerala celebrates Onam, the reported move has given the festival season another reason for conversation. The state’s cultural identity, language and history are once again at the centre of public discussion.
Now the question is whether people will warmly welcome the official name Keralam or prefer to continue using Kerala in everyday communication.
What do you think about the reported name change from Kerala to Keralam? Do you feel it is a positive step towards recognising the state’s Malayalam identity, or should the name remain Kerala?
