The most widely accepted origin theory of the name Sikkim is that it is a combination of two Limbu words : su , which means " new " and khyim , which means" place " or " house " . The name is believed to be a reference to the place built by the state's first ruler , Phuntsog Namgyal . The Tibetan name for Sikkim is Denjong , which means " valley of rice " , while the Bhutias call it Beyul Demazong , which means " the hiden valley of rice " . The lepcha people , the original inhabitants of Sikkim called it Nye - mae - el , meaning " paradise " . In history , Sikkim is known as Indrakil , the garden of the war god Indra . Sikkim Sikkim ( /SIkim/ ;...