About Namakaranam (Naming Ceremony)
About this puja
Namakarana is the naming of a newborn, one of the sixteen samskaras. After Punyahavachana purifies the house, the father whispers the chosen name — often with the family deity's name — into the baby's right ear, and everyone blesses the child.
Many families pick the first letter from the baby's nakshatra pada. In Karnataka the baby is often laid in the cradle (thottilu) for the first time the same day.
Why families book it
- Blessings for the child's health and long life
- The house purified after the birth
- A happy family day that welcomes the baby
Good times to do it
- The 11th, 12th or 21st day after birth, or on a muhurta
- Not on Amavasye, Rikta tithis or eclipse days
What the pandit does
- Ganapati puja and sankalpa
- Punyahavachana
- Navagraha puja for the baby
- Writing the name in rice on a plate
- Whispering the name in the baby's right ear
- Cradle ceremony where followed, aarati and blessings
Namakaranam (Naming Ceremony) samagri list
- Kalasham with mango leaves and coconut
- Plate of raw rice (to write the name)
- Turmeric, kumkum and akshinthalu
- New clothes for the baby
- Honey and a gold ring
- Fruits, flowers and sweets
- Betel leaves and nuts
Do’s and don’ts
Please do
- Settle the name (and its nakshatra letter) before the day
- Keep the baby fed and rested
Best avoided
- No loud music or smoke near the baby
Namakaranam near you
Read the full guide to Namakaranam — meaning, vidhi, samagri, best time and cost — or see local details for your city.
Questions devotees ask us
How much does Namakaranam (Naming Ceremony) cost?
Namakaranam (Naming Ceremony) with a verified Stuti Mandir pandit starts from ₹3,100 as pandit dakshina, for about 1.5 to 2 hours. The price can be a little higher outside the metro cities, live video pujas cost less than a home visit, and the full bill is shown before you pay.
On which day is the naming done?
Usually the 11th or 12th day after birth (the 21st in some families), or on a muhurta the pandit fixes.
Can the pandit suggest letters by nakshatra?
Yes. Share the baby's date, time and place of birth and the pandit will tell you the nakshatra letters.