Pranav at 19:24, 28 February 2026

2026-02-28T19:24:40Z

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{{Short description|Americans of Malayali birth or descent}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Malayali Americans
| native_name = മലയാളി അമേരിക്കക്കാർ<br />''{{small|Malayali Amerikkakkaar}}''
| native_name_lang = ml
| image =
| image_caption =
| pop = 146,000 (2009-2013 est.)<ref name="2009-2013">{{Cite web |title=Detailed Languages Spoken at Home and Ability to Speak English for the Population 5 Years and Over: 2009-2013 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2013/demo/2009-2013-lang-tables.html |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=Census.gov |archive-date=12 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412195838/https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2013/demo/2009-2013-lang-tables.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| popplace = {{hlist| [[Bergen County, New Jersey]] | [[Rockland County, New York]] | [[Indians in the New York City metropolitan region|New York City]] | [[Chicago metro area]] | [[Philadelphia]] | [[Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex]] | [[Los Angeles]] }}
| languages = '''Predominantly:''' {{hlist| [[Malayalam]] | [[American English]] }}
| rels = '''Predominantly:'''<br />[[Hinduism]], [[Christianity in Kerala|Christianity]]<br />'''Minority:'''<br />[[Islam]]
| related = {{hlist| [[Malayali people]] | [[Indian Americans]] | [[South Indians]]}}
}}
{{Americans}}
'''Malayali Americans''' ({{langx|ml|മലയാളി അമേരിക്കക്കാർ|Malayali Amerikkakkaar}}), also known by the term '''American Malayalees''' ({{langx|ml|അമേരിക്കൻ മലയാളികൾ|Amerikkan Malayalikal}}), are citizens of the [[United States of America]] who belong to the [[Malayali]] ethnolinguistic group. Their ancestry originates wholly or partly from the [[India]]n state of [[Kerala]].

==History==
Malayali nurses were first recruited in [[New York metropolitan area|Metro New York]] in the 1960s. They began bringing their families in the 1970s. Later waves in the 1990s into the early 2000s added a contingent of computer and business professionals to the population. Many of these later immigrants were [[Christianity in Kerala|Christians]] and [[Hinduism in Kerala|Hindus]], with few [[Islam in Kerala|Muslims]].<ref NAME="MalayalisNY">{{cite web |title=Keralite Indians in the New York Metro Area |url=https://unreachednewyork.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Keralite-Profile-Final.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824120828/https://unreachednewyork.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Keralite-Profile-Final.pdf |archive-date=24 August 2023 |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=April 2025}}

Malayali nurses, who were sponsored for jobs, were among the first Indians to settle in the [[Philadelphia]] area. Most of them lived in [[Millbourne, Pennsylvania|Millbourne]].<ref>Immigration, A. I. (2010). Demographic Background: Philadelphia and the United States. Global Philadelphia: Immigrant Communities Old and New, 253.</ref>

In recent years, the migration trends of [[Malayali people]] shifted to the [[United States]] as they seek opportunities.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

==Demographics==
As of 2009–2013, there were approximately 146,000 people with Malayali heritage in the United States,<ref name="2009-2013" /> with an estimated 40,000 living in the New York [[New York metropolitan area|tri-state]] area.<ref NAME="MalayalisNY" /> The majority of Malayali Americans live in areas like [[Bergen County, New Jersey]], [[Rockland County, New York]], [[Indians in the New York City metropolitan region|New York City]], [[Chicago metro area]], [[Philadelphia]], [[Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex]], [[Los Angeles]].

===Religions===
==== Hinduism ====
The [[Malayali]] [[Hindu]] community in the [[United States]] forms a significant portion of the Malayali Americans, with sizeable [[Christianity in Kerala|Christian]] and [[Islam in Kerala|Muslim]] minorities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Malayali Americans |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malayali_Americans |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref> Community organizations such as the Hindu Malayalee Mandalam (HIMAM) – formed in [[North Carolina]] in 2016 after informal gatherings since 1999 – actively promote [[Kerala]] Hindu cultural traditions, festivals like [[Vishu]], and community cohesion in the [[Research Triangle]] area.<ref>{{cite web |title=HIMAM |url=https://himamnc.org/about.php |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref> Similarly, the Association of Tampa Hindu Malayali celebrates [[Onam]] annually with traditional performances, youth programs, and community gatherings that reinforce Malayali identity.<ref>{{cite web |title=Association of Tampa Hindu Malayali celebrates Onam |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/global-malayali/us/2024/09/13/association-of-tampa-hindu-malayali-celebrates-onam.html |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref>

==== Islam ====
The Malayali [[Muslim]] community in the United States also participates actively in preserving its cultural and religious heritage. Organizations like Malayali Muslims of USA (MMUSA) facilitate community bonding through cultural, matrimonial, and charity-focused programs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Malayali Muslims of USA |url=https://malayalimuslims.org/about-us |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref> The [[Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre]] (KMCC USA & Canada) provides broader social welfare services including financial aid, career counseling, and relocation support.<ref>{{cite web |title=KMCC USA |url=https://www.kmccusa.com/ |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref> In March 2023, North American Malayali Muslims organized the first interfaith [[Iftar|Iftaar]] meet in [[New Jersey]], bringing together over 400 Muslim families and leaders from various faiths to promote interfaith harmony.<ref>{{cite web |title=Malayali Muslims hold inter-faith Iftaar meet in New Jersey |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/malayali-muslims-hold-inter-faith-iftaar-meet-in-new-jersey/article66676766.ece |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref>

====Christianity====
Christian sects from Kerala have established multiple worship communities in United States<ref>{{cite web |title=Our History - St. Thomas Evangelical Church of India |url=http://www.steciatlanta.org/about-us/our-history/}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=(Princeton) |first1=Princeton Forum on Asian Indian Ministries (US) |title=Pilgrims at the Crossroads: Asian Indian Christians at the North American Frontier |date=30 November 2009 |publisher=Institute for the Study of Asian American Christianity |isbn=978-0-9819878-2-8 |pages=27–32 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aGv0AgAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=George.|first=Pothan, Sidney|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/907131962|title=The Syrian Christians of Kerala|date=1963|publisher=Asia Publishing House|oclc=907131962}}</ref><ref>[http://www.usindian.org/traditional-indian-churches-in-usa.html Traditional Indian Churches in the US at a Glance] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819102714/http://www.usindian.org/traditional-indian-churches-in-usa.html|date=August 19, 2014}}, [http://www.usindian.org usindian.org] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819083321/http://www.usindian.org/|date=August 19, 2014}}</ref> The Syro-Malabar Church, an Eastern Catholic Church, native to India since the 1st-century, established St. Thomas Syro-Malabar diocese of Chicago was established in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |title=India prepares to mark Indian Christian Day on July 3 |url=https://cruxnow.com/uncategorized/2022/07/india-prepares-to-mark-indian-christian-day-on-july-3 |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=Crux |date=July 2, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> St. Thomas Day is celebrated in this church on July 3rd every year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eastern Catholics share their culture, experiences at Chicago gathering |url=https://www.chicagocatholic.com/chicagoland/-/article/2022/08/09/eastern-catholics-share-their-culture-experiences-at-chicago-gathering |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=Chicago Catholic |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese |url=https://www.stthomasdiocese.org/ |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=www.stthomasdiocese.org}}</ref> [[Syro-Malankara Catholic Eparchy of the United States of America and Canada]] is home to 23 parishes and missions in different cities. Its cathedral is the [[Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul (Malankara Catholic)|St. Vincent de Paul Syro Malankara Catholic Cathedral]] in [[Elmont, New York]]. Its church includes the [[St. Jude Syro-Malankara Catholic Church]] in [[Bensalem, Pennsylvania]]. The [[St. Thomas Syro Malabar Church (Boston)|St. Thomas Syro Malabar Church]] is a congregation in [[Framingham, Massachusetts]] under the jurisdiction of the [[St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago]].

===== Mar Thoma Syrian Church =====
The [[Mar Thoma Syrian Church]] established its presence in the United States in the early 1970s, following increased migration of [[Malayali]] Christians after the [[Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mar Thoma Church in North America |url=https://mtcsv.org/mar-thoma-church-in-north-america/ |website=Mar Thoma Church Silver Jubilee |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref> Early worship gatherings were held in private homes and rented church facilities, with regular services beginning in [[Queens]], [[New York City|New York]], in 1972.<ref>{{cite web |title=Parish History |url=https://web.stthomasmtcny.org/parish-history |website=St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, NY |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref> The first official congregation, Mar Thoma Congregation of Greater New York, was organized in 1976.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mar Thoma Church in North America |url=https://mtcsv.org/mar-thoma-church-in-north-america/ |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref> The [[Mar Thoma Syrian Church Diocese of North America & Europe|Diocese of North America and Europe]] was formed in 1993, with its headquarters at the Sinai Mar Thoma Centre in [[Merrick, New York|Merrick]], [[New York (state)|New York]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mar Thoma Syrian Church Diocese of North America & Europe |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar_Thoma_Syrian_Church_Diocese_of_North_America_%26_Europe |website=Wikipedia |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref> As of 2020, the diocese consisted of over 70 parishes and congregations across the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mar Thoma Church in North America |url=https://mtcsv.org/mar-thoma-church-in-north-america/ |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref>

===== Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church =====
The [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]] began organized worship in the United States during the late 1960s among immigrant families from [[Kerala]], [[India]].<ref>{{cite web |title=About Our Diocese |url=https://www.neamericandiocese.org/menu/main-menu/about-our-diocese/17 |website=Northeast American Diocese, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref> The first parish was established in [[New York City|New York]] in 1970, and in 1979 the American Diocese was formally created under the leadership of [[Thomas Mar Makarios]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Northeast American Diocese |url=https://mosc.in/dioceses/northeast-america |website=Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref> His enthronement was held at the [[Cathedral of St. John the Divine]] in [[Manhattan]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches |url=https://www.yearbookofchurches.org/index.php/northeast-american-diocese-malankara-orthodox-syrian-church |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref> In 2009, the American Diocese was divided into the [[Malankara Orthodox Diocese of Northeast America|Northeast American Diocese]], headquartered in [[Muttontown, New York]], and the Southwest American Diocese.<ref>{{cite web |title=Malankara Orthodox Diocese of Northeast America |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malankara_Orthodox_Diocese_of_Northeast_America |website=Wikipedia |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref> Today, the church has numerous parishes, [[Sunday school]]s, and charitable activities across the country, maintaining the [[West Syriac Rite]] liturgical tradition.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Our Diocese |url=https://www.neamericandiocese.org/menu/main-menu/about-our-diocese/17 |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref>

===== Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church =====
The [[Jacobite Syrian Christian Church|Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church]], under the [[Syriac Orthodox Church|Holy Apostolic See of Antioch]], began its organized presence in the United States in the 1980s with the arrival of clergy and faithful from [[Kerala]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Jacobite Syrian Christian Church |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacobite_Syrian_Christian_Church |website=Wikipedia |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref> The first parish was formed in 1987, and the church has since established congregations in major cities including [[New York City|New York]], [[Chicago]], [[Dallas]], and [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{cite web |title=St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Dallas |url=https://stmarysdallas.org/history |website=St. Mary's JSO Church Dallas |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref> Worship is conducted in the [[West Syriac Rite]], and the church functions under the guidance of the [[Patriarch of Antioch]] and the [[Catholicos of India]]. The community is engaged in pastoral care, Sunday school education, and cultural activities that preserve its heritage.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jacobite Syrian Christian Church in North America |url=https://jacobitesyrianchurch.org/ |website=Jacobite Syrian Christian Church |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref>

===== Knanaya Community =====
The [[Knanaya]] community, an endogamous ethnic group within the [[Saint Thomas Christians|Saint Thomas Christian]] tradition of [[Kerala]], has established a notable presence in the United States since the late 20th century.<ref>{{cite web |title=Knanaya |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knanaya |website=Wikipedia |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref> Members belong to both the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Kottayam]] and the Knanaya Jacobite Syrian Orthodox community. The first organized Knanaya Catholic parish in the United States was founded in [[Chicago]] in 1983, later becoming the seat of the St. Mary’s Knanaya Catholic Church in Chicago.<ref>{{cite web |title=St. Mary's Knanaya Catholic Church Chicago |url=https://www.stmarysknanayachicago.org/history |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref> Today, the Knanaya faithful are served by the [[St. Mary's Knanaya Catholic Parish, Chicago]], and several mission churches, while the Knanaya Jacobite community operates parishes under the [[Syriac Orthodox Church]] hierarchy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Knanaya Catholic Region in USA |url=https://www.knanayaregion.us/ |website=Knanaya Region USA |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref> The community maintains its unique cultural practices, liturgical traditions, and emphasis on preserving [[endogamy]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Knanaya |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knanaya |website=Wikipedia |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref>

=== Language ===
In 1983, the first Kerala Convention was held in New York City, which led to the founding of the [[Federation of Kerala Associations in North America]] (FOKANA). FOKANA is a major organization in the United States that promotes the [[Malayalam]] language and [[Culture of Kerala| Malayali culture]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://fokanaonline.org/about-us | title=FOKANA, About Us | access-date=18 April 2023 | archive-date=29 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329232554/https://fokanaonline.org/about-us/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Culture==
===Film and television===
*[[Comrade in America]] (2017)
*[[Monsoon Mangoes]] (2016)
*[[ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi (2013 film)| ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi]] (2013)
*[[Ivide]] (2015)
*[[Ezhamkadalinakkare]] (1979), the first Malayalam film shot in the US
*[[Akkare Akkare Akkare]] (1990)
*[[Peruchazhi]] (2014)
*[[America America (1983 film)| America America]] (1983)
*[[Nothing but Life]] (2004), released as ''Made in USA'' in Malayalam
*[[Ranam (2018 film)| Ranam]] (2018)
*[[Akkarakazhchakal: The Movie]] (2011)
*[[Akkara Kazhchakal]] (2008-2010), television sitcom

==Notable people==
===Literature===
[[File:Dr Abraham Verghese in 2023 06.jpg|thumb|upright|right|[[Abraham Verghese]], physician and author known for ''[[My Own Country]]'', ''[[The Tennis Partner]]'', ''[[Cutting for Stone]]'' and ''[[The Covenant of Water]]'']]
*[[Meena Alexander]], poet, scholar, and writer
*[[Abraham Verghese]], author and physician
*[[Mira Jacob]], writer
*[[Tania James]], novelist
*[[Aimee Nezhukumatathil]], poet and essayist
*[[Sanjena Sathian]], novelist and journalist
*[[Sarah Thankam Mathews]], novelist
*[[Rajiv Joseph]], playwright
*[[Sandhya Menon]], author known for [[The New York Times|New York Times]] bestseller ''[[When Dimple Met Rishi]]''
*[[Vijay Menon (writer)|Vijay Menon]], writer
*[[Shanthi Sekaran]], novelist and educator

===Academics===
====Mathematicians====
*[[N. U. Prabhu]], mathematician
*[[K. C. Sreedharan Pillai]], statistician

====Deans and presidents====
*[[Naureen Hassan]], American finance executive who serves as the president of [[UBS|UBS Americas]]; previously served as the first vice president and [[chief operating officer]] of the [[Federal Reserve Bank of New York]]

====Economists====
[[File:Gita Gopinath, 2012 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|right|[[Gita Gopinath]], served as the first deputy managing director of the [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF).]]
*[[Gita Gopinath]], economist; served as the first deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), former chief economist at the IMF and Economic Adviser to the Chief Minister of Kerala

====Professors====
*[[Margaret Abraham]], professor of sociology at Hofstra University; served as the 18th president (2014–2018) of the [[International Sociological Association]]
*[[Pulickel Ajayan]], professor of engineering at [[Rice University]]
*[[Nalini Ambady]], social psychologist and professor of psychology
*[[K. Mani Chandy]], Simon Ramo Professor of computer science at the [[California Institute of Technology]] (Caltech)
*[[Thomas Kailath]], professor of engineering at [[Stanford University]]
*[[Prema Kurien]], professor of sociology at the [[Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs]] of [[Syracuse University]]
*[[Geeta Menon]], Abraham Krasnoff Professor of Global Business and current chair of the Marketing Department at [[New York University Stern School of Business]]
*[[P. K. Ramachandran Nair]], Distinguished Professor of Agroforestry and International Forestry at the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences (SFFGS), Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS); also an agricultural scientist
*[[V. Parmeswaran Nair]], Distinguished Professor at [[City College of New York]]
*[[Kuzhikalail M. Abraham]], professor at [[Northeastern University]], electrochemistry; materials science; lithium, lithium ion, and lithium air batteries
*[[Unnikrishna Pillai]], professor of [[electrical engineering]] at the [[New York University Tandon School of Engineering]]
*[[Cyriac Pullapilly]], professor of history at [[Saint Mary's College (Indiana)|Saint Mary's College, Indiana]]; a [[Royal Society of Arts|Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts]]; and former priest of the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]]

===Business===
*[[George Kurian (businessman)|George Kurian]], business executive; chief executive officer and a member of the board of [[NetApp]]; previously executive vice president of product operations at NetApp
*[[Thomas Kurian]], business executive and chief executive officer of [[Google Cloud Platform|Google Cloud]] (under [[Alphabet Inc.]]) since 2019
*[[Raj Subramaniam]], business executive who is the chief executive officer and president of the [[FedEx Corporation]]

===Arts and entertainment===
[[File:M. Night Shyamalan 2008 - still 40580 crop.jpg|right|thumb|125px|[[M. Night Shyamalan]], Hollywood director]]
*[[RK DreamWest]], film director, screenwriter, cinematographer
*[[Benny Mathews]], director
*[[Meera Menon]], director, writer, and editor
*[[Sunil Nayar]], television writer and producer
*[[Gita Pullapilly]], film and television director, screenwriter, producer, and author
*[[Hasna Sal]], Glass sculptor, architect, artist and author
*[[M. Night Shyamalan]], director, filmmaker
*[[Ishana Night Shyamalan]], filmmaker, screenwriter and producer; daughter of filmmaker [[M. Night Shyamalan]]
*[[Antony Thekkek]], producer, author, and writer
*[[Julie Titus]], model, contestant on ''[[America's Next Top Model]]''
*[[Serena Varghese]], voice actress
*[[Alok Vaid-Menon]], writer, performance artist, media personality

====Actors and actresses====
*[[Naveen Andrews]], actor
*[[Melanie Chandra]], actress and model
*[[Anu Emmanuel]], actress
*[[Shishir Kurup]], actor
*[[Jacob Gregory]], actor
*[[Babu Antony]], actor
*[[Anchal Joseph]], actress and fashion model
*[[Mouzam Makkar]], actress
*[[Lakshmi Devy]], actress, screenwriter, producer, director
====Comedians====
*[[Paul Varghese]], appeared on ''[[Last Comic Standing]]''
*[[Dan Nainan]], stand-up comedian

====Media====
*[[Rajiv Chandrasekaran]], journalist
*[[Syma Chowdhry]], television host, reporter, and producer
*[[Liza Koshy]], actress, [[YouTube]] comedian and television host
*[[Rajan Devadas]], photojournalist
*[[Suma Josson]], journalist and filmmaker
*[[Vinita Nair]], news anchor, news correspondent
*[[Reena Ninan]], Middle East correspondent for [[Fox News Channel]]
*[[Sreenath Sreenivasan]], [[Columbia University]] professor; [[WABC-TV]] technology reporter
*[[Ishaan Tharoor]], journalist
*[[Arun Venugopal]], journalist
*[[Raj Mathai]], television journalist

====Musicians====
[[File:Kim Thayil - Fabrik Hamburg 2018 04.jpg|right|thumb|upright|[[Kim Thayil]], musician, has won two [[Grammy Awards]] as a member of [[Soundgarden]].]]
*[[Mathai (singer)|Mathai]], former singer; finalist on season 2 of ''[[The Voice (U.S. season 2)|The Voice]]''
*[[Kim Thayil]], musician and songwriter
*[[Appu Krishnan]], known professionally as The Professor, music producer and songwriter
*[[Saleka]], singer-songwriter and actress; daughter of filmmaker [[M. Night Shyamalan]]
*[[Hanumankind]], rapper from Kerala who grew up in the US
*[[Arjun Menon]], playback singer and songwriter

===Sports===
*[[Roopa Unnikrishnan]], sports shooter and innovation consultant
*[[Prashanth Nair]], cricketer

===Politics and government===
*[[Stanley George]], political strategist, known for his advisory role in the U.S. Republican Party and close association with President Donald Trump's political campaigns; also biographer
*[[Shanthi Kalathil]], foreign policy analyst, human rights advocate, former journalist

====Elected officials====
* [[John Abraham (mayor)|John Abraham]], former mayor of [[Teaneck, New Jersey]] (Republican)
*[[Abraham George (politician)|Abraham George]], [[businessman]] and politician from [[Parker, Texas]], who has served as the [[party chair|chairman]] of the [[Republican Party of Texas]] since May 2024
*[[Nithya Raman]], politician serving as the Los Angeles City Council member for the 4th District since 2020; member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America; also urban planner and activist (Democratic)
*[[Kevin Thomas (politician)|Kevin Thomas]], represented the [[New York's 6th State Senate district|6th district]] in the [[New York State Senate]] from 2019 until 2024 (Democratic)
*[[Susheela Jayapal]], first Indian American to hold an elected office at the county level in Oregon, served as a county commissioner for [[Multnomah County, Oregon|Multnomah County]], [[Oregon]] (Democratic)
*[[Vin Gopal]], took office in 2018 to represent the [[New Jersey's 11th legislative district|11th Legislative District]] in the [[New Jersey Senate]] (Democratic)
*[[Shekar Krishnan]], politician who is a member of the [[New York City Council]] for the [[New York City's 25th City Council district|25th district]]; also attorney (Democratic)
*[[Kevin Olickal]], member of the [[Illinois House of Representatives]] for the 16th district

====Federal elected officials====
[[File:Pramila Jayapal, official portrait, 116th Congress.jpg|thumb|upright|right|[[Pramila Jayapal]], politician serving as the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] since 2017.]]
*[[Pramila Jayapal]], [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] for [[Washington's 7th congressional district]]

====Civil servants====
*[[Joy Cherian]], first Asian head of the [[Equal Employment Opportunity Commission]]
*[[Rachel Paulose]], former [[United States District Court for the District of Minnesota|United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota]]
*[[Maju Varghese]], attorney and political advisor who served as director of the [[White House Military Office]] in the [[Presidency of Joe Biden|Biden administration]]. He assumed office on March 9, 2021 and left office January 21, 2022.
*[[Michael Kuruvilla]], police officer serving as Chief of Police in [[Brookfield, Illinois]].

====Federal judges====
*[[Juli Mathew]], first Indian American judge of the bench of [[Fort Bend County, Texas]] since 2023 (Democratic)
*[[Surendran Pattel]], lawyer who is a judge for the 240th [[Texas District Court]] in [[Fort Bend County, Texas|Fort Bend County]] since 2023

===Activism and philanthropy===
*[[Abraham George]], philanthropist, humanitarian, founder of The George Foundation (TGF)
*[[Ajit George]], Chief Operating Officer of [[Shanti Bhavan| Shanti Bhavan Children's Project]]; Also [[tabletop role-playing game]] writer
*[[Deepika Kurup]], clean water advocate and inventor
*[[Appu Kuttan]], philanthropist, consultant, author, and the founder and chairman of the National Education Foundation (NEF)
*[[Thomas Abraham]], founder president of the [[Global Organization for People of Indian Origin]] (GOPIO) as well as the National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA)

===Science and technology===
*[[Dileep George]], artificial intelligence and neuroscience researcher
*[[Thomas Zacharia]], computer scientist; previously deputy director for science and technology at [[Oak Ridge National Laboratory]]
*[[Shree K. Nayar]], computer scientist and engineer
*[[Joy A. Thomas]], senior data scientist at Google, information theorist and author
*[[E. C. George Sudarshan]], physicist, author; first to propose the existence of the [[tachyon]]
*[[George Varghese]], computer scientist, a professor of computer science and Jonathan B. Postel Chair in Networking in the [[UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science]], author

====Medicine====
*[[Paul Antony]], physician executive and former Chief Medical Officer for the [[Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America]] ([[PhRMA]])
*[[Devi Nampiaparampil]], physician, journalist, actress
*[[Shelby Kutty]], cardiologist, academic, and healthcare executive

===Religion and spirituality===
*[[Joy Alappatt]], bishop of the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]]
*[[Vishnudevananda Saraswati]], yoga guru, founder of the [[Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres|International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres and Ashrams]] (ISYVC)
*[[Winnie Varghese]], dean of the [[Cathedral of St. John the Divine]]
*[[Titus Yeldho]], [[Archbishop]] and Patriarchal Vicar of the [[Malankara Archdiocese of North America (Syriac Orthodox Church)|Malankara Archdiocese]] of the [[Syriac Orthodox Church]] in [[North America]]

===Crime===
*[[Sneha Anne Philip]], missing person
*[[Anand Jon]], convicted rapist and fashion designer
*[[Shelley Malil]], convicted of attempted premeditated murder and assault; former actor

==See also==
*[[Malayali diaspora]]
*[[Indian Americans]]
*[[List of Indian Americans]]

== References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==

{{Indian diaspora}}
{{Asian Americans}}
{{Demographics of the United States}}

[[Category:American people of Indian descent]]
[[Category:American people of Malayali descent| ]]
[[Category:Asian diaspora in the United States]]
[[Category:Indian diaspora in the United States|Malayali]]
[[Category:South Asian diaspora in the United States]]
[[Category:Malayali diaspora]]

Malayali Americans - Revision history

Pranav at 19:24, 28 February 2026