Panicker is an Indian title or surname used by members of various communities in the state of Kerala. Members of the Hindu Nair and Ezhava castes have this last name, as do some Christians from the Syrian Catholic and Syrian Orthodox communities. Etymology The word 'Panicker' was derived from the Sanskrit word 'Parinayaka' meaning 'captain of warriors', in the context of the Sanskrit word 'Nayaka' which stood for a 'warrior' or 'leader' which evolved into the surname 'Nair'. It was a title besto… (More on Panicker)