Ammaiyar

Ammaiyar (Tamil: அம்மையார்) is a Tamil term that literally means "mother" and is used as an affectionate and respectful address for an elder woman or a mother. In everyday speech, it functions as a polite term of address similar to madam or ma’am in English, and it is commonly heard within families and local communities across Tamil-speaking regions.

In addition to its use as an everyday term, Ammaiyar can also appear as a feminine given name or surname among Tamils. The word reflects the central cultural value placed on motherhood and elder women in Tamil society, and it is encountered in literature and religious contexts as a respectful reference to maternal figures, goddesses, or revered women.

Linguistically, the formation draws on amma, meaning "mother," with a suffix that conveys respect or relational status. Variants and related forms may appear in regional dialects or transliterations, depending on historical and community influences.

Cultural context and usage can vary by region and community, but the core sense of Ammaiyar as an affectionate, respectful address remains widespread in Tamil-speaking areas and among Tamil communities worldwide. It is typically used in familiar, courteous, or ritual contexts to acknowledge a woman's role as a caregiver, elder, or spiritual figure.

See also: Amma.