Namakarana (naming ceremony) (नामकरण)

This is the fifth of the sixteen samskaras, the life-cycle ceremonies of Hindu tradition. It is performed on the 11th or 12th day, or later.

What it is

The ceremony of naming the baby. Families choose a name with a priest, often from the first letter given by the child's nakshatra (birth star), and the name is whispered into the baby's ear. A feast follows. Families in many regions call this ceremony the cradle ceremony (palna) or barsana.

What is usually done

A puja, the whispered name, a family meal, gifts, and the announcement to relatives.

Why it matters to families

The samskaras mark the stages of a life and bring the family and community together at each of them. Families keep as many as suit their tradition and their circumstances. Many keep the ceremonies that remain popular (naming, first food, first haircut, the thread, wedding and last rites) and treat the rest as a prayer of blessing.

See the full list of sixteen.

Read next

• Nishkramana (निष्क्रमण)
• Jatakarma (जातकर्म)

These pages describe common practice in plain words. Customs differ by region, community and family, and your own family's tradition and a priest of your community come first. Dates of auspicious times change every year: ask a priest or use a trusted panchang. Nothing here promises any result.