Kapalam is 'skull' in Thamizh. Easwarar is Lord (Eesu Avar) who was crucified in Golgotha / Calvary - the place of the skull.

Kapaleeswarar temple was originally located in the place where the current St Thomas Basilica is today – Mylapore. It was built by Indian Christians in an early period as a memorial to Christ who died on Calvary which was also called the mound of the skull (Kapaalam is skull and Easan is one who came down as man – (recollect manisan) in Thamizh). The temple was moved further inland long afterward and converted as a temple for Easwaran, the Thamizh god of old, by the Jewish Aryans. Sivam Koil (temple of love) became the Sivan Koil (temple of Sivan, the Jewish Aryan deity - Adam / Aadhinathan).