List of people from Tirunelveli district

Literary figures

• TK Ramanuja Kavirajar, Tamil epic poet, playwright and humanitarian
• Henry Alfred Krishnapillai, composer of Ratchanya Yathreegam
• Daniel Selvaraj, Sahitya Academi Award-winning Tamil writer
• Vannadhasan, Sahitya Academy Award - winning Tamil writer

Freedom fighters

• Puli Thevar
• Muhammad Ismail (Quaid-e-Millat—"Leader of the Nation")

Politicians

• Vaiko, General Secretary, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK)
• S. Chellapandian, speaker (1962–1967)
• R. Avudaiyappan, speaker (2006–2011)
• P. H. Pandian, speaker (1984–1988)

Artists

Actors

• Delhi Ganesh

Musical directors

• Bharathwaj

Directors

• Kathir
• Dharani
• Durai
• A. Venkatesh

Businesspersons

• T. V. Sundaram Iyengar, founder of TVS group
• Shiv Nadar, founder of HCL
• V. G. Panneerdas, founder of VGP group
• P. Rajagopal, founder of Saravana Bhavan

Sportspeople

• Vijay Shankar (cricketer)