Chennai
/tʃɛnˈnaɪ/noun
The capital city of Tamil Nadu, India.
Did you know?The modern name Chennai is widely linked to Damarla Chennappa Nayakudu, a 17th-century local ruler, though the city’s older region name Madras was used by Europeans for centuries.
Etymological Timeline
17th Century
Telugu
Chennappa
“A personal name, likely from a local ruler or landholder associated with the area”
17th Century
Telugu
Chennappa Nayakudu
“Name of Damarla Chennappa Nayakudu, a Nayak ruler connected with the region”
17th–18th Century
English
Madras
“The European colonial name for the settlement and port”
19th–20th Century
English
Madras Presidency
“The colonial administrative name for the region under British rule”
1996
English
Chennai
“Official modern name adopted for the city, replacing Madras”