🇮🇳 India
Namakarana is held on the 11th or 12th day, when the baby is placed in a cradle and the name is whispered into the ear. Many families choose a name based on the baby's birth star, or nakshatra, and a sacred syllable.
Read: NamakaranaNaming ceremonies: compared across 20 places
The same idea in 20 places, grouped by region. Each entry is a short portrait; follow the link for the full tradition.
South Asia 3Southeast Asia 1East Asia 2Central Asia and the Caucasus 1Middle East 2North Africa 1Sub-Saharan Africa 4Europe 2North America 2Latin America and the Caribbean 1Oceania 1
South Asia
🇳🇵 Nepal
Newar and other communities hold a naming rite on the sixth, eleventh or twelfth day, with a priest, a horoscope and a family feast. Names often reflect the birth star or day of the week.
Read: Namakarana🇦🇫 Afghanistan
A mullah or an elder whispers the call to prayer and the name into the baby's ear, and the family hold a feast. A name is often chosen after a grandparent or a prophet.
Culture of Afghanistan, being writtenSoutheast Asia
🇮🇩 Indonesia
Balinese families name the baby at 42 days, in a rite called tutug kambuhan, and the baby is later named according to birth order, such as Wayan, Made, Nyoman and Ketut. Javanese families hold a selametan.
Balinese caste system, being writtenEast Asia
🇨🇳 China
At one month, the baby is given a milk name, and the family gives red eggs, and a banquet follows. The formal name is chosen with attention to the five elements, tone and meaning.
Chinese name, being written🇰🇷 Korea
A name is chosen with attention to generational syllables, the dollimja, shared by cousins, and may be checked with a fortune teller. A first-birthday party, dol, follows.
Korean name, being writtenCentral Asia and the Caucasus
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
In the Kazakh naming rite, at qoyu, an elder or a respected relative whispers the name in the baby's ear, and the family hold a feast. Names are often chosen to honour an ancestor or to express a wish for the child.
Kazakhs, being writtenMiddle East
🇸🇦 Arabia
On the seventh day the aqiqah is held, with the shaving of the baby's head and the sacrifice of a sheep, and the name is announced. Names often relate to the Prophet or to virtue.
Aqiqah, being written🇮🇱 Israel
Boys are named at the brit milah on the eighth day and girls at a synagogue Torah reading or a simhat bat. Children are often named after a deceased relative, in remembrance.
Brit milah, being writtenNorth Africa
🇪🇬 Egypt
Egyptian families hold the sebou on the seventh day after birth, in which the baby is carried in a sieve with candles and salt, to the sound of songs and a rattle, and the family gives out sweets. The baby is named, and guests bring gold or small gifts.
Culture of Egypt, being writtenSub-Saharan Africa
🇳🇬 Nigeria
Yoruba babies are named on the 8th day in the Isomoloruko, with symbolic foods, such as honey, salt, kola nut, water and palm oil, each prayed over. Names such as Oluwaseun, meaning God has done it, carry full sentences.
Read: Yoruba naming ceremony🇬🇭 Ghana
Akan children are given a day name, such as Kofi for a boy born on Friday, in the outdooring ceremony, held on the eighth day, when the baby is first taken outside, with water and rum on the tongue. The ceremony ends with a feast.
Akan name, being written🇰🇪 Kenya
Kikuyu and other communities name children after grandparents in a fixed order, and the naming is celebrated by the family. Maasai ceremonies include blessings with milk.
Kikuyu people, being written🇿🇦 South Africa
Zulu and Xhosa families give a name at an imbeleko ceremony, in which an animal is slaughtered to introduce the baby to the ancestors, and the child is wrapped in its skin. The ceremony is held when the family can afford it, and the ancestors are called by name to welcome the child.
Zulu people, being writtenEurope
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
A christening in church names the baby, with water poured over the head, and godparents give their promises. Secular naming ceremonies are also offered.
Christening, being written🇩🇪 Germany
The baby is named at the Taufe, the baptism, and the date of the name day, the feast of the saint, has traditionally been celebrated alongside the birthday. Family names are often passed on.
Read: Name dayNorth America
🇺🇸 United States
The Hopi hold a naming rite on the 20th day, in which the paternal aunts wash the baby's head and give a name with an ear of corn. Many American families hold a baby naming or a christening.
Hopi, being written🇲🇽 Mexico
Godparents, padrinos, are chosen for the baptism, and the baby is given the names of saints and relatives. A party with mole, tamales and sweets follows.
Read: CompadreLatin America and the Caribbean
🇧🇷 Brazil
The Candomble rite of Ipade and the Orisha naming ceremony, the Nome de santo, give an initiate a name connected to their deity. Catholic baptism and a family party are widely held.
Candomblé, being writtenOceania
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Maori babies are welcomed in a ceremony called Tohi, with karakia, a blessing with water, and a whanau gathering. Names can reflect events, ancestors or dreams.
Tohi, being writtenAbout this page
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.