naming the baby
By vathsala
@vathsala30 (3732)
India
October 18, 2009 6:36pm CST
In our family, when a child is born, we name him on the 11th day of his birth. Bath the child and its mother, put the child in a decorated cradle, invite our neibours and name the child. In your family, when do you name your child and in which manner?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@joy_evaldez (461)
• Singapore
19 Oct 09
H vathsala! Since we know already the gender of our baby before she was born, we already thought of the baby's name even before I gave birth to her. We do some research on what is the meaning of the names and from there we decide the appropriate name for her. We chose Amanda Sophia. Amanda means beautiful while Sophia means wisdom. Since I am on C-section and deliver my baby in the hospital, after I deliver the baby, the nurse will ask us immediately what is the child's name. So it helps if you have it handy.
@vathsala30 (3732)
• India
20 Oct 09
How do you know the gender of the baby before its birth? It is possible only through the scanning but in India it is not done unless if there is any medical emergency like if the doctors suspects about the growth of the baby or any other medical related doubts
@joy_evaldez (461)
• Singapore
21 Oct 09
In the Philippines, it is allowed to have the ultrasound for pregnant women. It is usually done on the 5th or 6th month of the pregnancy. It is really helpful so that you can deceide earlier the name and even the things to buy for the baby. We do even have the 3D image ultrasound wherein you see almost the full features of the baby. You can have it in much expensive price but they will give you the CD as a souvenir.
@vathsala30 (3732)
• India
21 Oct 09
That is simply superb. Before its birth, our babies will be seen by their parents and spread happiness in its household. But unfortunately in India the doctors simply deny to perform that ultrasound, because some people will abort the child if they come to know that the child in their womb is a baby girl and female foeticide is banned here.
@vedhak (32)
• India
23 Dec 09
hi vatshala,
even in our family also we do naming ceremany in the 11th day if it is good, or any good day that which comes on an odd number day like 5th, 7th, 9th 11th 15th day like that. but it never crosses 15th day. we do first punyavachan, making shuddi karma at home, then feeding honey with a gold ring, this event first will done by mother's Br. then remaining people will give. and then we wrtie 3 names on rice. as one is of god's, second as per astrology and last with forefather's name. but now baby is 2.17 mon. we not yet decided her name. and still in research. i think we will end this research in a near time and will gift our baby a nice name
@vathsala30 (3732)
• India
24 Dec 09
Hi Vedhak
I think we both are following the same method in the celebration of naming our babies. I wish your baby will get a very very good name like her mother. he he
@vathsala30 (3732)
• India
24 Dec 09
Sure. Sure. Our blessings will always be there and secondly. when the God has given you a beautiful bundle of joy as new year gift, definitely he will help you in your research in searching the baby names and select the best name we have never heard for your small angel too.
@Buchi_bulla (8298)
• India
19 Oct 09
In our custom, we spread paddy on the floor, child's mother's brother, who is mama to the child, will keep the baby in his lap, write the name on the paddy and then tell the name in the ear of the child. We keep three names, one of God or forefather's name, second starting with the letter that the priest calculates and tells and the last as per our wish usually as per numerology it is calculated. Our surname also is added to the name. Hence father's name, third name and then surname is the child's name. First and last will be shown as initial and the second name is shown as name. Then as per your custom, the child is put in the decorated cradle.
@vathsala30 (3732)
• India
20 Oct 09
Yes, Even in our family, the child will be given three names. The first will be either of God's or forefathers, second will be selected by the In laws side, third will be selected by the Mother's side. Only one name will become his official name.
@Sreekala (34312)
• India
23 Dec 09
Hi dear,
In our tradition the naming ceremony of a child is taking place in the 27th or 29th day. If there is any problem and the ceremony could not take place on this particular day then it will take place in 55th day or 57th day. The perfect timing will get from the astrologist for naming and a black thread (with five types of metal) is tying in the waist of the child. Then the father/grand father/uncle of the child will call the name thrice in the ear of the child.
@vathsala30 (3732)
• India
23 Dec 09
hi Sree
We normally celebrate the naming ceremony on 11th day with performing some pujas and teettu kazhikkaradu (Purifying )Then in the evening we invite our neighbours and relatives for a simple function and wear black glass bangles in the child's hands, new clothes tie neem leaf's mid rib in the child's hands, wear golden bangles, tie a black thread and golden chain around his waist and spread some paddy on the floor below which place is cleaned and put rangoli then keep the child over that paddy and then his parents should whisper his name three times in his ear then we put the child in a decorated cradle. and give gifts to the guests with beetel leaves arecanut banana fruit, coconut and a blouse piece some special dish called sundal. That ends the naming ceremony
@deepasubramani (1074)
• India
23 Oct 09
Aunty,
Even in our family, when a child is born on the eleventh day, we give head bath to the child and the mom, put the child in the cradle and invite our close relatives and celebrate the ocassion and name the child.
@vathsala30 (3732)
• India
24 Oct 09
Hi Deepa
It shows that all the Hindus have the common tradition of naming the baby on the eleventh day of its birth, bathing him and his mother, put the baby in a cradle and naming him after inviting the near and dear ones. Happy mylotting.
@mistlady (114)
• India
24 Dec 09
In our community, we wait for the baby to become three months old, then we select an auspiciout day and have the naming ceremony. My son was named when he was three months old. We had called friends and family and decorated his cradle and then we had the ceremony that involved passing the child from under the cradle and over the cradle by both grandmothers while they chanted auspicious songs and names. After that I, his mother wispered my son's name in his ears three times. I am thankful that my son was asleep through most of the ceremony and did not cry when all the rituals were performed and while the ladies of the house sang songs. Naming the child is truly a memorable event in our custom.
