When is Namkaran traditionally done?

Namkaran is traditionally held on the eleventh or twelfth day after birth, though families also keep it later. The chosen day should fall on a soft, auspicious nakshatra in the waxing fortnight.

Which nakshatras are good for a naming ceremony?

Gentle, auspicious stars: Ashwini, Rohini, Mrigashira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Anuradha, Shravana, Dhanishta and Revati.

How is the baby's name chosen?

Tradition ties the first syllable of the name to the Moon's nakshatra and pada at birth. The Baby Name Finder computes the syllable and a shortlist of names from the birth star.

Which days should a naming ceremony avoid?

Avoid the Rikta tithis and Amavasya, the nakshatras Bharani, Krittika, Ardra, Ashlesha, Magha, Moola and Jyeshtha, and the weaker weekdays Tuesday and Saturday.

Namkaran Muhurat: Choosing an Auspicious Naming-Ceremony Day

How to choose a Namkaran (naming ceremony) muhurat: the gentle nakshatras and tithis that suit a baby naming, the traditional 11th or 12th day, and how to find your date.

This is the general meaning. See what your own birth chart says — free.

Namkaran, the naming ceremony, is one of the sixteen samskaras and is traditionally held on the eleventh or twelfth day after birth, though families also keep it later. Its muhurat favours gentle, auspicious nakshatras and the waxing Moon, a soft beginning for a new name.

What a naming-ceremony date looks for

Nakshatra. Gentle and auspicious stars suit a naming: Ashwini, Rohini, Mrigashira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Anuradha, Shravana, Dhanishta, Revati, Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha and Uttara Bhadrapada. Bharani, Krittika, Ardra, Ashlesha, Magha, Moola and Jyeshtha are avoided.
Tithi. The waxing fortnight on a favourable tithi is preferred. The Rikta tithis and Amavasya are set aside.
Weekday. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday carry the soft benefic energy a naming wants. Tuesday and Saturday are weaker.

The name itself

Tradition ties the first syllable of the child's name to the Moon's nakshatra and pada at birth, which is why a naming day and a name are often chosen together. If you would like the syllable and a shortlist of names from the birth star, the Baby Name Finder computes them from the nakshatra.

Finding your Namkaran muhurat

Use the Muhurat Finder to check the auspicious days and the exact ceremony windows for your city. The personalised version weighs the child's own Tara Bala and Chandra Bala when the birth details are entered.

Common questions

When is Namkaran traditionally done?: Namkaran is traditionally held on the eleventh or twelfth day after birth, though families also keep it later. The chosen day should fall on a soft, auspicious nakshatra in the waxing fortnight.
Which nakshatras are good for a naming ceremony?: Gentle, auspicious stars: Ashwini, Rohini, Mrigashira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Anuradha, Shravana, Dhanishta and Revati.
How is the baby's name chosen?: Tradition ties the first syllable of the name to the Moon's nakshatra and pada at birth. The Baby Name Finder computes the syllable and a shortlist of names from the birth star.
Which days should a naming ceremony avoid?: Avoid the Rikta tithis and Amavasya, the nakshatras Bharani, Krittika, Ardra, Ashlesha, Magha, Moola and Jyeshtha, and the weaker weekdays Tuesday and Saturday.

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