Find out how popular the first name Nithilan has been for the last 17 years (from 2006 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Nithilan by gender

Based on the last 17 years of data, Nithilan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Nithilan.

The history of the first name Nithilan

The name Nithilan is of Tamil origin, tracing its roots back to the ancient Dravidian language spoken in parts of southern India and Sri Lanka. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "Nidhi," meaning "treasure" or "wealth," combined with the Tamil suffix "-an," which is a masculine honorific.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nithilan can be found in the Sangam literature, a vast collection of Tamil poetic works dating back to the early centuries of the common era. In these literary works, the name is often associated with characters of noble birth or individuals possessing great wisdom and knowledge, which aligns with the name's meaning of "treasure."

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Nithilan. One of the earliest known figures was Nithilan Adigal, a revered Tamil scholar and poet who lived in the 9th century CE. His works, which focused on ethical and philosophical teachings, have had a lasting impact on Tamil literature and culture.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Nithilan Siddhar, a renowned Tamil Siddha (a spiritual adept) who lived during the 15th century CE. He was known for his contributions to the field of Siddha medicine, an ancient Tamil system of healing that combined principles of yoga, alchemy, and spiritual practices.

In the 17th century, Nithilan Thevar was a prominent chieftain and military leader from the Marava community in southern India. He played a significant role in the resistance against the invading forces of the Madurai Nayak kingdom, earning a reputation for his bravery and strategic prowess.

During the modern era, one of the most notable figures bearing the name Nithilan was Nithilan Krishnaswamy (1924-2005), a renowned Tamil writer and playwright. His works explored themes of social injustice, political corruption, and the struggles of the common people. He was awarded several prestigious literary honors, including the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors.

Another notable figure was Nithilan Ramanathan (1934-2021), a distinguished Sri Lankan Tamil lawyer and human rights activist. He was a vocal advocate for the rights of the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka and played a crucial role in documenting and raising awareness about human rights violations during the country's civil war.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the name Nithilan throughout history, each making their mark in various fields, from literature and philosophy to politics and human rights activism, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and diversity associated with this ancient Tamil name.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Nithilan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Nithilan, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!