Kerala Is Now Keralam! From Odisha To Bengaluru, Understanding India’s Renaming Trend

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A name change always sparks the same reaction. "Wait, when did that happen?" You grew up saying, 'Bombay'. It became Mumbai. You booked flights to Bangalore. Now it's Bengaluru. And now, Kerala is on track to officially become Keralam. Here's what's actually happening and why India keeps renaming its states and cities.

Kerala To Keralam: What's Happening Right Now

Photo Credit: Instagram@indialinked(AI-generated)

Kerala may soon officially be called Keralam, the Malayalam form of its name. The Kerala Legislative Assembly passed resolutions in 2023 and again in 2024 requesting the change. The big update is that the Union Cabinet has now approved the proposal. But approval doesn't automatically change the Constitution. For a state's name to change:

• The state assembly passes a resolution.
• The Union Government considers it.
• Parliament must pass a law amending the First Schedule of the Constitution under Article 3.
• Once passed, the new name becomes legally binding nationwide.
• That final parliamentary step is still pending. The process, though, has moved forward at the national level.

Why The Change?

Supporters say "Keralam" reflects how the name is spoken in Malayalam and aligns the English version with local identity.

States That Have Already Changed Names

India has done this before several times.

United Provinces: Uttar Pradesh (1950)

Soon after independence, colonial-era names were replaced to reflect Indian geography and identity.

Madras State: Tamil Nadu (1969)

"Madras" referred to a city. "Tamil Nadu" means "Land of the Tamils," reflecting linguistic and cultural identity.

Mysore State: Karnataka (1973)

The state had grown beyond the old princely state of Mysore. "Karnataka" represented the broader Kannada-speaking region.

Uttaranchal: Uttarakhand (2007)

The name was changed to reflect historical and cultural roots mentioned in ancient texts.

Orissa: Odisha (2011)

This corrected the English spelling to match the Odia pronunciation. The language name also changed from Oriya to Odia.

Every one of these required a constitutional amendment passed by Parliament.

City Name Changes: Faster, But Just As Symbolic

City renamings don't require amending the Constitution. State governments propose them, and the Centre clears them.

Here are the most recognisable ones:

Bombay: Mumbai (1995)

Changed by the Maharashtra government. "Mumbai" comes from the local deity Mumba Devi. It marked a move away from colonial naming.

Bangalore: Bengaluru (officially 2014)

The change reflected Kannada pronunciation and local heritage.

Madras: Chennai (1996)

Part of a broader shift toward regional linguistic identity.

Calcutta: Kolkata (2001)

Adjusted to reflect Bengali pronunciation rather than the anglicised version.

Why Do These Changes Keep Happening?

If you look closely, most name changes fall into one of four categories:

1. Linguistic accuracy

Odisha and Bengaluru corrected spellings to match local pronunciation.

2. Cultural identity

Tamil Nadu and Mumbai emphasised regional heritage.

3. Post-colonial correction

Madras and Calcutta were British-era anglicised names.

4. Political signalling

Governments often frame renaming as reclaiming identity which resonates with voters.

For some residents, it feels like reclaiming ownership. For others, it raises questions about costs and priorities. Both reactions tend to surface every time.

What Actually Changes When A Name Changes?

Once legally approved, updates roll out across:

• Government documents
• Court records
• Railway stations and airports
• Maps and textbooks
• Official communication

The transition isn't overnight. Old names linger in conversation for years. Many people still say "Bangalore" casually, even though the official name is Bengaluru. Language adapts slower than law.

The Larger Pattern

India's renaming trend often reflects a moment, a political shift, a linguistic assertion, or a push to align official language with how people actually speak. If Parliament clears the amendment, Kerala will officially become Keralam. If it doesn't, the name remains unchanged. Either way, the debate shows something consistent: names are never just labels. They carry memory, identity, and power. And in India, that conversation isn't ending anytime soon.