The name of the place Thiruchirappalli is derived from its Jain association. It is known as the rockfort city of Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu, Buddhism and Jainism flourished before the renaissance of Hinduism in the form of the Bhakti cult. The Bhakti cult popularized Saivism and Vaishnavism and exterminated these anti-Hindu religions in Thiruchirappalli. Therefore, several Jain and Buddhist traces can be found scattered in remote and unapproachable spots throughout Thiruchirappalli.

`Chira` was actually the name of a Jain monk and his `palli` or abode was once in this rock. Hence, it came to be known as Chirappalli. Later, Thiru was added to it as it is an adjective of reverence in the Tamil language. The beautiful name is now reduced to `Trichy` as nobody feels comfortable to pronounce its full name.

In Tamil grammar, there is a special rule for shortening names like this. This rule is called `Maruvu`. It was a famous place in the Sangam Age and the capital city of Cholas, called `Uraiyur` even before its association with Jains. This place has a historical importance in Tamil Nadu. The Cheras, the Cholas and the Pandyas have ruled in Thiruchirappalli. Thereafter, the Pallavas, the later Pandyas, the later Cholas, the Vijayanagar rulers, the Marathas, the Nawabs, the French and Finally the British came to rule this strategic place which is more or less centrally located place in Tamil Nadu.

At present, Thiruchirappalli is the fourth major city of Tamil Nadu and the headquarters of Trichy district.