Namkaran (naming ceremony)
Namkaran is the Hindu naming ceremony, one of the sixteen samskaras, traditionally held around the 11th or 12th day after birth. The first sound of the name is often taken from the baby’s nakshatra pada.
Also known as: Namakarana, Naamkaran, Namkaran sanskar, Namakaranam, Barsa
Namkaran is the fifth of the sixteen samskaras, the rites of passage of a Hindu life. Texts suggest the 10th, 11th or 12th day after birth, once the family’s period of birth seclusion (sutak) ends, though many families choose a later date with a good muhurat. In Maharashtra the ceremony is called Barsa and held on the 12th day.
The baby’s nakshatra pada at birth gives a traditional syllable, for example Chu, Che, Cho or La for Ashwini, which many families use as the first sound of the name or for a separate ‘nakshatra name’ used in rituals. The muhurat favours gentle, auspicious nakshatras and a supportive weekday, and avoids Rikta tithis, Amavasya and Bhadra.
There is no rule that the everyday name must start with the nakshatra syllable. It is a lovely custom, and many parents simply choose a name they love and keep the nakshatra name for ceremonies.