பெயர்
peyar/pɛjɐɾ/
The Tamil word for "name" is பெயர் (peyar).
பெயர் is a noun used to indicate a particular person, place, class or thing.
Meaning: word or phrase indicating a particular person, place, class or thing (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /pɛjɐɾ/ (peyar).
When do people say it?
For men, the prefix திரு is used. For women, the prefix திருமதி is used. Family-like terms are also common in social interactions: an older brother can be called அண்ணா (Anna), an older sister can be called அக்கா (Akka) and an elderly woman can be addressed as அத்தை (Athai).
Did you know?
- The word பெயர் is part of a vast linguistic family, sharing a common ancestor with the word for 'name' in languages as distant as Brahui, spoken in Pakistan, and Tulu, spoken in coastal India.
- In classical Tamil literature, the concept of a 'name' is often linked to the essence or nature of a person, meaning that a name is not just a label but a reflection of one's identity.
- In formal Tamil writing, you might see the word பெயர் used in contexts that would require a completely different word in English, such as 'title' or 'designation'.
Examples in context
- என் பெயர் அருண்.en peyar arun.My name is Arun.
- அந்தப் பூவின் பெயர் என்ன?andhap poovin peyar enna?What is the name of that flower?
Example conversation
Arun and Kavitha are meeting for the first time at a cafe.
- அருண் Arunவணக்கம், உங்கள் பெயர் என்ன?vanakkam, ungal peyar enna?Hello, what is your name?
- கவிதா Kavithaஎன் பெயர் கவிதா.en peyar kavitha.My name is Kavitha.
- அருண் Arunகவிதா, உங்களைச் சந்தித்ததில் மகிழ்ச்சி.kavitha, ungalai sandhithadhil magizhchi.Kavitha, nice to meet you.
- கவிதா Kavithaமிக்க மகிழ்ச்சி, அருண்.mikka magizhchi, arun.Very nice to meet you, Arun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “name” translations and entries பெயர், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries பெயர், CC BY-SA 4.0.
