I have been trying to find out the real meaning of my name for a while but I didn't get the exact meaning so far. I made up my mind to find out the real meaning Today and after exploring some Tamil websites and understanding the origin of this name, my thought process finally convinced my heart. Here is my understanding:
"Senthil Nathan" (செந்தில் நாதன்) is the name of Lord Muruga residing in "Thiruchendur" (திருசெந்தூர்). "Thiruchendur" is the place where Lord Muruga killed the demon king named Soorapadma after a long fought battle. "Thiruchendur" has three words: "Thiru" + "Chendu" + "Oor".
Thiru (திரு) - Equivalent of English "Mr."
Chendu (செந்து) - Red
Oor (ஊர்) - Land/Place
Since an enormous quantity of Asura's blood was shed on this land, it became Red and hence the name "Chendur". Honorary prefix "Thiru" was added to pay respect to Lord Muruga.
Now, coming to the etymology of Senthil Nathan. As I mentioned before, Senthil Nathan is the name of the Lord living in Thiruchendur. Infact that is the literary meaning.
Senthil - Chenduril (Red place) + vaazhum (living)
Nathan - It has its own etymology. Name ending with 'N' (ன்) denotes Male in Tamil. 'Naadam' (நாதம்) means Oli (ஒலி, sound). Male version of Naadam or Person/Lord responsible for sound is "Nathan". I have two explanations for this name.
i) Lord Muruga is the one to explain the meaning of Pranava Manthiram (ஓம், Sound of "OM") to his Father, Lord Siva.
ii) One of the different names of Lord Muruga is "Tamil Kadavul" (தமிழ் கடவுள், Lord of Tamil Language).
Both explanations are related to "Sound" (ஒலி - Naadam) but the name "Nathan" should most probably be related to my first explanation. Hence the name "Nathan" refers to Lord Muruga.
Senthil Nathan - Lord of Sound/Lord Muruga living in Thiruchendur.
OM ஓம் OM!
