Viswanathan

Viswanathan is a male given name and, less commonly, a surname used in India, particularly among Tamil-speaking populations. It is a South Indian form of the Sanskrit name Vishwanath, meaning "lord of the universe" or "lord of all worlds." The components are vishva (world, universe) and natha (lord, protector). The name is commonly transliterated as Viswanathan, Vishwanathan, or Vishwanath, with regional variations in pronunciation.

In usage, Viswanathan is frequently used as a given name in Tamil Nadu and among Tamil communities in Sri Lanka and Malaysia, and it may appear as a patronymic surname in some contexts. The name has historical roots in Hindu religious and cultural naming practices, and it is also used by people of Tamil origin in the Indian diaspora.

Notable individuals with the given name include Viswanathan Anand, the Indian chess grandmaster and former World Chess Champion, who has helped popularize the name internationally.

See also Vishwanath, Vishwanathan, Visvanathan (variants and related names).