8191+ Hindu Baby Girl Names with Meanings | Mom&Tiny

Hey there, fellow Hindu parents!

I'm sharing my experience of naming our son. Like many Hindu families, we consulted a pandit for our son's name. The pandit prepared our son's Janam Kundali (or astrological chart) based on his birthplace, birth date and time. On the day of our son's Naamkaran ceremony, he suggested we name our son with the letter "N" as it'll be auspicious to start our son's name with 'N'.

But we were already in love with a few names. Our favourite boy name was Kabeer, and our picks for Hindu baby girl names were Sia and Mehr.

After family discussions and deliberations, we convinced everyone to stick with Kabeer. While tradition is important in most Hindu families, we realized that, ultimately, it's up to us as parents to decide what feels right for our child's name.

Kabeer means "great," "mighty," or "large." In the 15th century, Kabeer was also a famous Sufi poet and mystic. We thought it was a perfect name for our son, who is turning out to be a cheeky but bright and curious toddler.

How do Hindu’s Name their Babies?

The Naamkaran Ceremony

If you're a Hindu family looking to name your newborn the traditional way, it's important to know about the naamkaran ceremony. This ceremony is usually held in the first few weeks after birth, and involves performing a puja or havan for the gods to bless the baby.

What is the Naamkaran ceremony?

Naamkaran, or the naming ceremony, is a cherished Hindu tradition and ranks as one of the most important of the 16 Hindu'  samskaras' or rituals. The term 'Naam' means 'name' and 'karan' means 'to create' in Sanskrit.

When and Why Is It Done?

The ceremony takes place within a few weeks after the baby's birth, and the best time for the Naamkaran is 11 days after your kid is born. This corresponds with the conclusion of the 'Sutika' or 'Shuddhikaran' period, a period of intensive postnatal care for both mother and infant. Although the 11th day is considered highly auspicious, the ceremony does not necessarily have to be held that day. 

Hindu parents often choose a later date based on tips from their go-to priest or astrologer. The date can be any time after the tenth day, but it has to be before the baby's first birthday. A lot of North Indian hindu families also schedule the ceremony on or around the 40th day after the baby’s birth. The Naamkaran ceremony isn't just a social debut for your little star; it's where they officially get their name, meet the whole gang, and collect all the good vibes and blessings for a healthy and happy lif\e.

To choose a name, parents consult a pandit who will draw out the baby's astrological chart using their birth details. Based on this chart, the pandit suggests a syllable or letter that is considered auspicious to start the baby's name with or a name with a meaning that is regarded as good for the baby based on the chart.

Where and How Is the Naamkaran Sanskar Performed?

The Naamkaran can take place at home or in a temple, depending on where the family decides to keep it. Some families go all out, hosting it in a banquet hall or a festively decorated tent with a large crowd, while others keep it intimate with just close family members. A Hindu priest, or pandit, conducts the ceremony, choosing an auspicious day and time—or 'Shubh Muhurat'. The ceremony typically includes a puja or havan, where prayers are offered, and mantras are chanted for the baby's wellbeing.

During the ritual, rice grains are spread on a bronze plate, and the father writes the chosen name with a gold stick. If the father isn't available, the grandfather or an uncle may step in. The baby's name is then whispered in the right ear four times by the father, accompanied by a prayer. In some families, the baby's aunt might whisper the name instead, after which the name is announced to the gathered friends and

I wanted to share our experience of naming our son with you. Like many Hindu families, we consulted a pandit for our son's name. During the Naamkaran ceremony, which was held at our house only with close family members, he suggested that we name our son with the letter "N" based on his astrological chart.

However, my husband and I were head over heels for the name Kabeer even before our son's birth, and after some family discussions, we decided to stick with it. While tradition is important in most Hindu families, we realized that, it's up to us as parents to determine what feels right for our child's name.

My advice to you would be to take the guidance of the pandit. If you can find a name you love with the suggested letter, that's great! However, feel free to follow it if you love a name that starts with a different letter. Remember, your child's name is something that will stay with them for a lifetime. Hence, it is imperative to pick a name that makes your heart skip a beat, and your swagger skyrocket!