Cariappa is a first name from Kodagu district, Karnataka in South India. It is found among Kodava Hindus. It is pronounced 'Kārya - appā' meaning 'man (appā) of duty (kārya)', not to be confused with the similar sounding name 'Kāri' (black) 'appā' (man), a name for Krishna.
Notable people
The following is a list of notable people with the last name Cariappa.
K. M. Cariappa (1899–1993), the first Indian commander-in-chief of the Indian Army; Cariappa is his first name. K. C. Cariappa (born 1938), former Air Officer in the Indian Air Force and K. M. Cariappa's son K. C. Cariappa (cricketer) (born 1994), Indian cricketer; Cariappa is his first name. Prema Cariappa, former mayor of Bangalore and Rajya Sabha (Upper House of the Indian Parliament) member; Cariappa is her husband's first name