Narayanan
Narayanan is a Hindu boy name of Sanskrit, via Malayalam and Tamil origin, meaning “Lord Vishnu; refuge of beings”.
| Meaning | Lord Vishnu; refuge of beings |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Sanskrit, via Malayalam and Tamil |
| Written as | നാരായണൻ |
| Pronunciation | naa-RAA-yuh-nun |
| Tradition | Hindu |
| Used in | India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore |
Meaning and origin of Narayanan
Narayanan is the Malayalam and Tamil form of Narayana, one of the principal names of Vishnu. It is traditionally explained as 'the one who rests on the waters' or 'the refuge of all beings', from nara, 'water' or 'humanity', and ayana, 'abode'. Notable bearers include K. R. Narayanan, President of India, and the Kerala social reformer Sree Narayana Guru.
Is Narayanan a Hindu name?
Narayanan honours Narayana (Vishnu), invoked in the mantra 'Om Namo Narayanaya', central to Vaishnava worship.
How popular is Narayanan?
Very common in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, often as a surname or father's name.
Gifts with the name Narayanan
- Narayanan name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Narayanan baby gifts (Amazon)
- Hindu baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Narayanan
Names similar to Narayanan
More Hindu boy names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Narayanan mean?
Narayanan means 'Lord Vishnu; refuge of beings'. It is of Sanskrit, via Malayalam and Tamil origin.
Is Narayanan a Hindu name?
Narayanan honours Narayana (Vishnu), invoked in the mantra 'Om Namo Narayanaya', central to Vaishnava worship.
How do you pronounce Narayanan?
Narayanan is pronounced naa-RAA-yuh-nun.
Is Narayanan a boy or girl name?
Narayanan is usually a boy name.