Pillayar is the popular Tamil name of God Ganesha. Ganesh or
Ganapati is widely known in Tamil Nadu and among Tamil speaking community as
Pillayar. But what is the meaning of Pillayar or Pillaiyar. In Tami, Pille
means child and Pillayar meant a noble child. Shiva is one of the popular
deities in Tamil culture and therefore Ganesha was referred as the noble child.
Some scholars are of the view that Pallu or pella means tooth or tusk of an elephant – more
generally elephant – thus Pillayar means young one of an elephant.
In South India , Ganesha is
popularly known as Ganapati and Pillayar. The term ‘Pillayar’ is limited to
Tamil communities.
Reference: Ganesh: studies of an Asian god. Edited by Robert
L. Brown