potti

Potti is a term used in South Indian naming and language contexts. In Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada, it is often a nickname or affectionate form derived from a word meaning “little” or “young.” As such, potti commonly appears in personal names rather than as a standalone given name in formal use, and its meaning is closely tied to the language and community in which it is used.

The most widely known person associated with the name is Potti Sreeramulu (1901–1952), an Indian independence activist and leader who used the nickname Potti. He conducted a prolonged hunger strike in 1952 demanding a separate state for Telugu-speaking people. He died after the strike, and his death contributed to the creation of Andhra State in 1953, which later became part of the reorganized state of Andhra Pradesh.

Beyond individuals, potti may occur as part of regional family names or place names in parts of South India, reflecting local naming practices. It is less common as a standard dictionary word outside proper nouns, and its interpretation is highly context dependent.

Etymologically, many Dravidian languages employ diminutives and affectionate forms in names, and potti is one such form used to convey familiarity or endearment. When encountered in texts, capitalization indicates its status as a proper name or nickname rather than a common noun.