Namkaran is the Hindu ceremony that formally gives a baby its name.
Namkaran, also spelled namakaran, is a Hindu naming ritual and one of the traditional samskaras. Families usually perform it after the early postpartum period, with the exact day differing according to regional custom, family practice, and religious calendar. Relatives may gather while elders, priests, or parents announce the chosen name and offer blessings.
Astrological considerations sometimes influence the initial sound or letter selected for the name. The ceremony can also include prayers, gifts, food, and a formal introduction of the child to extended family. Customs are not identical across Hindu communities, so there is no single universal schedule or script.
Namkaran should not be confused with godh bharai, which is a pregnancy celebration, or mundan, which marks a child’s first haircut. Annaprashana is another later rite, associated with introducing solid food.