meen

Meen is a term with multiple meanings in South Asia and in transliteration practices. In Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Telugu, meen (written as மீன் or similar) means "fish." The word is a common noun in everyday speech and appears in food names, markets, and various phrases across Dravidian-language communities.

In culture and religion, meen serves as a linguistic root in several well-known names. Meenakshi, a prominent goddess worshipped mainly in Tamil Nadu, is interpreted as "fish-eyed," illustrating how the word contributes to symbolic meanings in names and myth. Beyond this, meen can appear as part of personal names or as a surname in some communities.

In astrology, the Hindu and Indian astrological traditions designate the zodiac sign Pisces as Meena (often transliterated as Meen in English). This association links the term with the fish imagery that pervades regional symbolism and calendar lore.

In modern usage, meen may appear in literature, media, and branding that draw on its maritime associations or on traditional cosmology. The term is short, easy to transliterate, and reflects connections among language, culture, and symbolism in South Asia.