Kaimal

Kaimal is a name with multiple uses in South Asia, notably in the Indian state of Kerala. It has been used as a historical title, as well as a surname and, in some cases, a given name.

In Kerala, Kaimal historically denoted a rank or status among certain Nair lineages in the erstwhile princely states of Travancore and Cochin. Individuals bearing the title were often connected to local governance, chieftainship, or service to ruling dynasties. The title could be hereditary within families or granted by a ruler, and over time some Kaimal families adopted the term as a surname.

Etymology and regional usage are not fully settled. Some scholars link Kaimal to terms meaning chief or leader in Dravidian languages; others see it as an honorific used by local elites. The use of Kaimal varied by locality and historical period, and the social and political functions attached to the title diminished after the integration of princely states into the Indian republic.

In modern times, Kaimal is most commonly encountered as a surname among people of Kerala and among the Malayali diaspora. It is occasionally used as a given name. As with many traditional titles, its practical significance today is largely cultural or genealogical rather than official.