Hindu Baby Names are Unique and Quite Popular

Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world. The followers of this religion can be found all over the world but a large number of Hindus live in India, Nepal and neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and even in Pakistan. In the Hindu religion birth of a baby is given a lot of importance and several rituals are associated with it. One such ceremony is the Namkaran Ceremony.

In most of the Hindu families, the baby naming ceremony is normally scheduled on the twelfth day or after forty days depending upon the traditions of each sub-caste. In some Hindu families, some rituals and ceremonies are performed even before the baby naming ceremony. Some of them are conducted during the fifth or sixth day of the birth of the newborn baby. It is known as 'Panchvi' or ‘Chhathi’. Such ceremonies are performed to protect the kid from unknown evil sprits.

In Hindu baby naming ceremony, so many factors and aspects are considered while naming the baby. The day and time of the baby naming ceremony are decided after consulting the family Pandit. The day and time decided by the Pandit is known as 'Shub Mahurat' which is an auspicious time for naming the new born. The letter with which the baby is going to be named is normally decided based on his Kundali, birth time, the positions of stars and planets etc.; during the birth of the baby. Normally a Pandit or an Astrologer provides such letters according to his “Raashi” with which the baby is named. During this ceremony, Parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, friends and other relatives are present to bless the baby.

Some of the popular Hindu Girl Names are:
1.    Aditi ("boundless"; mother of the gods)
2.    Arpita ("devoted")
3.    Aruna ("the sun")
4.    Asha ("hope")
5.    Chandra ("moon"; a name of moon goddess Devi)
6.    Devi ("divine"; after goddess Devi)
7.    Ekta ("unity")
8.    Indira ("splendid"; a name of goddess Lakshmi)
9.    Kali (Hindu goddess of destruction)
10.    Kalinda ("the sun")
11.    Kanyakumari ("the virgin goddess")
12.    Kavita ("poetry")
13.    Lalita ("beautiful woman")
14.    Lakshmi (goddess of wealth)
15.    Maya ("illusion")
16.    Meena ("precious gem")
17.    Mrignayani ("doe-eyed")
18.    Parvati (a goddess, the wife of Lord Shiva)
19.    Priyamvada ("sweetly spoken")
20.    Radha ("success"; name of Lord Krishna's love)




Some of the popular Hindu Boy Names are:
1.    Amit ("infinite, boundless")
2.    Arjun (one of the Pandava brothers)
3.    Arnav ("ocean")
4.    Arpit ("devoted")
5.    Ganesh ("son of Lord Shiva")
6.    Govind ("cowheard"; a name of Lord Krishna)
7.    Hriday ("heart")
8.    Jay ("victory")
9.    Karan ("instrument")
10.    Mohandas ("alluring"; a servant of Moham)
11.    Nalin ("lotus")
12.    Narayan (a name of Lord Vishnu)
13.    Akash (“The Sky”)
14.    Navneet ("fresh butter")
15.    Nikhil ("entire")
16.    Parthasarathy (charioteer of Lord Krishna)
17.    Pranav ("the sacred syllable Om")
18.    Rahul (‘son of Lord Buddha”)
19.    Ravi (“The Sun God”)
20.    Abhinav (“New”)

Like other important ceremonies, relatives and friends come to give blessing to the newborn baby and best wishes to the new parents on this baby naming ceremony. They also bring so many gifts for the newborn baby on this auspicious occasion. Hindus give importance to Gold as a gift on big occasions. So, family members, especially grandparents bring gold and silver ornaments on this joyous occasion. At the same time, gold chains, ear rings (even for a male child silver anklets and new clothes are specially bought for the newborn kid. A special feast is also organized for family, relatives and friends during this important ceremony.