So, l is for female, n is for male--friendly but not requiring higher respect.

r is reserved for those things/people which demand respect, irregardless of gender. Like in the case of a dynasty, a line of old rulers would demand respect therefore pallavar gets the r.

I think I knew that puram meant town. Maybe it's because puram is at the end of so many place names in India, not sure. lol

This is really great information, btw. Thank you, Prema for sharing it. This will be really helpful.

Here's a question: is your last name tamil? I see the ba as a uyirmei and the n on the end would denote maleness. Some Western surnames are the name of a forefather for the family line, ie. Johnson would be "John's son" or McLochlan would be Son of Lochlan. Is "Balan" a forefather surname?

Stephanie



In every man there is something wherein I may learn of him, and in that I am his pupil.--Ralph Waldo Emerson