'Always been Keralam': UAE Malayalis react to Kerala's proposed name change

UAE's Malayali community has warmly welcomed the proposed renaming of the Indian state of Kerala to Keralam. After the Indian Union Cabinet approved the move on Tuesday, celebrations rippled through expatriate circles across the Gulf, where many say the state has always carried that name in spirit.

While passports, flight tickets and maps said, 'Kerala' for Malayalis in the UAE, 'Keralam' has always been the favoured name. Now, that this is close to becoming official, the news has stirred feelings of pride, humour and practical concerns among members of the Gulf diaspora.


The decision by the centre follows resolutions passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly moving to align the state's official name with its traditional Malayalam form. In the UAE, where about one million Malayalis form one of the largest expatriate communities in the country and the largest Indian state group, the move finds immense support.

Proponents of the decision that spoke to UAE-based outlet Khaleej Times claimed the resolution was as natural a correction as Bombay being renamed Mumbai or Madras becoming Chennai. For them, the move replaces a colonial-era representation of their state with the righteous and traditional Malayali form.

According to Sree Prakash Purayath, General Secretary of the Indian Association Sharjah (IAS), in Malayalam, a language spoken by the majority of the community, the state has "always been called Keralam." "The name Kerala is often viewed as from the colonial era and subsequent official documentation," he told the outlet.

He revealed that the word finds its origin either in "Cheram" linked to the Chera dynasty or in "Kera" meaning coconut tree and "Alam" meaning land, thus combining to mean "The Land of the Coconut Trees." “It’s a classic case of endonym versus exonym. When a state reclaims its native name, it is often a powerful act of linguistic and cultural affirmation,” he added.

“It’s like the world catching up to how we’ve always spoken,” added Mini Thomas, a school teacher from Kollam.

However, the news has not been received with open arms by everyone. Retaining the existing name was preferable for Nissar Thalangara, President of the Indian Association Sharjah and a representative of the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC). He claimed Kerala was a more "international term" that contradicted with Keralam, a more "local" preference.

In order to attract more international visitors, he suggested sticking to Kerala would have been better and either way, conducting a poll for the decision was advisable.

Within the Indian diaspora as well, the decision has been received with diverse reactions. While many celebrated the much-awaited resolution, others found gaps in the practicality. Congress parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor, who represents Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, and is known for his eloquent views took to X to ponder if the residents of the state would now be called "Keralamites," "Keralamians," or just "Malayalis." The post quickly gained traction on the app, drawing reactions from numerous viewers, including those from the Gulf.

However, it is vital to note that the renaming is yet to be finalised. The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, must pass Parliament to amend the Constitution’s First Schedule before receiving Presidential assent. Only then, would official documents and global references for the state change.