Naming Ceremony
Namakaranam · Barsa · Naamkaran
The ceremony at which a newborn is formally given their name, often whispered into the child's ear, and frequently combined with the cradle ceremony.
- Where it is observed
- Pan-India
- Communities
- Hindu families across traditions
- When to send
- 1–3 weeks ahead
- Invitation shape
- A short daytime invitation, typically a morning ritual followed by a meal.
Who invites whom
The baby's parents and grandparents, inviting close family and friends.
Timing & dates
One to two weeks. The date is fixed by the child's birth, so it comes together quickly — a digital invitation suits this well.
2026–27 date guidance
Commonly held on the eleventh, twelfth or twenty-first day after birth, though practice varies by community and some families hold it later. The day is often chosen at a muhurat.
The ceremonies
Practice varies by family, community and region — not every household observes all of these.
Punyahavachanam
A purification ritual performed before the naming.
Namakaranamनामकरण
The chosen name is whispered into the child's ear, usually by the father, and then announced.
Nakshatra Name
In many families a second name is chosen according to the child's birth star, alongside the name they will be called by.
Cradle Ceremony
The child is placed in a decorated cradle for the first time, with songs sung by the women of the family.
What the invitation must include
- Date and time of the ceremony
- Venue with map link
- Parents' and grandparents' names
- Meal timing
- Contact number
Wording examples
Adapt these to your family's own voice — square brackets mark what you replace.
Our little one has arrived, and we are ready to share their name with you. Please join us for the naming ceremony on [Date] at [Time].
[Parents' Names] invite you with family to the Namakaranam of their [son/daughter], on [Date] at [Time], at [Venue].
Create your Naming Ceremony invitation
Every function, muhurat, venue and RSVP built around your celebration — and shareable on WhatsApp in a single link.
Related guides
Upanayanam
The sacred thread ceremony, marking a boy's initiation into formal study and his receipt of the Gayatri Mantra from his father or guru.
Baby Shower
A celebration held in the later months of pregnancy, blessing the expectant mother. Known as Seemantham in Telugu and Tamil households, Godh Bharai in the north, Valaikappu in Tamil Nadu, and Dohale Jevan in Maharashtra.
Annaprashan
The ceremony marking a baby's first taste of solid food, usually rice, fed by a grandparent or maternal uncle in the presence of the family.