Narayanan is a South Indian name predominantly used in the Malayalam and Tamil languages. It may mean
- Narayana, an important Sanskrit name for Vishnu and in many contemporary vernaculars, a common Indian name.
- R. K. Narayan, a widely read Indian novelist writing in English.
- K. R. Narayanan, the tenth President of the Republic of India.
- Mayankote Kelath Narayanan, National Security Advisor (NSA) to the Prime Minister of India
- Narayanan V, Businessman, Chennai