Ramakrishnan

Ramakrishnan is a name of Indian origin used as both a given name and a surname. It is particularly common among Tamil-speaking communities in India and in the Tamil diaspora. The name is a compound derived from Rama, the hero of the Ramayana, and Krishna, a major Hindu deity. The suffix -an is a Tamil masculine nominal ending, and the full form Ramakrishnan is often interpreted as meaning “descendant of Ramakrishna” or “belonging to Ramakrishna,” reflecting a bhakti-informed naming practice.

In usage, Ramakrishnan can appear as a first name or as a family name, depending on regional naming practices. In traditional Tamil naming conventions, a person’s name may include the father’s given name or ancestral name as a surname, and modern usage has led to the surname position being used more consistently in official records and in global contexts. The form is found in India and among Tamils worldwide, including communities in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and Western countries.

Due to its nature as a common compound of two widely honored figures, the name appears among professionals in various fields such as academia, engineering, arts, and public service. Variants and related forms include Ramakrishna and Ramakrishnan, among others, reflecting different transliterations and regional conventions.