Selvaraj

Selvaraj is a name used in Tamil-speaking communities, functioning as both a given name and, in some cases, a surname. It is most common among Tamils in Tamil Nadu, India, and among Sri Lankan Tamils, with a diaspora presence in Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, and Western countries.

Origin and meaning: The name combines Tamil elements selvar (wealth, prosperity, nobility) and raj (king, rule). Together, the meaning is often rendered as "prosperous king" or "king of wealth." The form is typically masculine, though transliteration into English can yield variations.

Usage: Traditional Tamil naming practices often place the father's given name before the child’s name, so Selvaraj can appear as a given name or as a family name depending on local convention. In contemporary usage, it is frequently used as a stand-alone given name.

Variants and transliteration: Common renderings include Selvaraj; other forms observed in English-language records include Selvarajan and Selvarasan, reflecting phonetic transliteration from Tamil.

Geographic distribution: The name is particularly prevalent in Tamil Nadu and among Tamil communities in Sri Lanka. It is also found among Tamil-speaking populations in Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, and in the Tamil diaspora across Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia.

Notability: The name appears across varied domains—education, politics, arts, and sports—within Tamil communities, illustrating its broad cultural presence.