Ramalinga

Ramalinga is a given name of Indian origin, most commonly found among Tamil-speaking communities. The form Ramalingam is a longer variant used in formal or religious contexts. The name is generally interpreted as a compound of Rama, a name for the Hindu god Rama, and lingam, a symbol of Shiva.

One of the most renowned bearers is Ramalinga Adigalar (1823–1874), better known as Vallalar. He was a Tamil saint, poet, and reformer who founded the Sathya Dharma Sabha and preached universal love, compassion for all beings, and vegetarianism. His Tamil works include Tiruvachagam, a collection of devotional poetry, and he promoted the worship of the Arutperunjothi, the Eternal Light, which is associated with a temple at Vadalur.

Ramalinga Raju, Indian businessman and founder of Satyam Computer Services, is another notable figure bearing the name. He resigned in 2009 amid a major accounting fraud scandal that prompted investigations and reforms in Indian corporate governance.

Today the name Ramalinga remains in use as a given name across South India and among Tamil diaspora communities. It is encountered in religious, literary and professional contexts, sometimes with the spelling variant Ramalingam.