Several theories abound about the origins of the word Kerala'. One theory suggests that the name comes from the Sanskrit (Indian) term keralam' meaning land added on'. (By the way Keralam' is how Keralais officially known). Another version suggests that the name was given to the land by Chera Kings who ruled the region in the 12th century. Kerala may represent chera alam ("Land of the Cheras") in Tamil. Malayalis, the natives of Kerala, refer to their land as Keralam.Arabs who visited Keralain earlier centuries for spice trade christened it as 'Malabar' which is a name by which the north of Kerala is still known.
The version we like best (and think is the most logical explanation) is the most popular theory that Kerala' is derived from the words Kera' (meaning coconuts) and Elam' (meaning land). Simply put, land of the coconuts'.
One only has to fly over Keralan airspace, over miles of land carpeted by lush coconut trees, to know why we think this theory has to be the most plausible one.
So here's a literal equation to remember the exact name;
Kera (Coconuts) + Elam (Land) = Keralam or Kerala (Land of the Coconuts)
Don't worry if even this doesn't help you remember. Maybe Shakespeare was right after all a rose will smell sweet by any nameSo whether you are planning a holiday to Kerela, Keralaa or Kerala- just call the Kerala Travel Centre on Freephone 0808 178 9799 and we would be more than happy to put together a holiday of a lifetime for you.