Velan first name popularity, history and meaning

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

Meaning of Velan

A masculine Tamil name meaning "farmer" or "plowman".

Popularity of Velan by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Velan.

Year Male Count Female Count
2022 5 0
2006 5 0

The history of the first name Velan

The name Velan is derived from the Tamil language, which is primarily spoken in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the northern and eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. It has its origins in the ancient Dravidian civilization that flourished in the region several centuries before the Common Era.

Velan is a masculine given name that stems from the Tamil word 'vel,' which means 'lance' or 'spear.' It is believed to have been a name bestowed upon warriors and soldiers who excelled in the art of spear combat during the times of the ancient Tamil kingdoms and empires.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Velan can be found in the ancient Tamil literary work, the Sangam literature, which dates back to the early centuries of the Common Era. The name is mentioned in several poems and verses, often associated with valor, bravery, and martial prowess.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Velan. One of the most famous was Velan Adhiyan, a celebrated Tamil poet and scholar who lived in the 9th century CE. His works, which explored themes of love, spirituality, and philosophy, are considered literary treasures of the Tamil canon.

Another prominent figure was Velan Kodandaraman, a revered Tamil saint and mystic who lived in the 16th century CE. He was renowned for his devotional works and is believed to have composed numerous hymns and spiritual songs that are still sung in Hindu temples across Tamil Nadu.

In the realm of sports, Velan Anaimuthu was a renowned Indian field hockey player who represented his country in the 1964 and 1968 Olympic Games. He was part of the Indian team that won the gold medal in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, cementing his place in the annals of Indian sporting history.

Velan Sundaram was a prominent Tamil scholar and linguist of the 20th century. He dedicated his life to the preservation and promotion of the Tamil language and literature, authoring numerous books and publications that helped to safeguard the rich cultural heritage of the Tamil people.

Finally, Velan Radhakrishnan was a distinguished Indian mathematician who made significant contributions to the fields of analysis and functional analysis. He held prestigious academic positions at various universities and was widely recognized for his research and publications.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals who have carried the name Velan throughout history, each leaving an indelible mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of Tamil culture and heritage.

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 Velan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Velan first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 16, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/velan-meaning-and-history/.

"Velan first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/velan-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 16 May, 2025

Velan first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/velan-meaning-and-history/.

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