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With a new baby on the way, parents make more room in their home, shop for new baby clothes, find new ways to save money, and try to pick the perfect name for their bundle of joy. Often, this last task proves to be the trickiest. For parents seeking a South Asian derived name, marrying culture with modern flair can be enticing but also incredibly challenging. Today the process of picking a baby’s name is based mostly on the couple’s personal tastes; however, the practice of picking a baby’s name in South Asia is mired in tradition and has a deep cultural heritage.
Parents often want names that have some or all of these traits: carries culture, is pronounceable, is original, and has a beautiful meaning. And if it happens to solicit a thank you from the tot when he or she is old enough, even better. Although the accessibility of global resources, such as websites and frequent skype conversations with dadi and nani can help, it also can quickly lead to information overload, leaving parents overwhelmed. With so many choices, it’s nearly impossible to pick the perfect name. CitySaheli brings it all together for you in this South Asian Guide to Naming Your Baby.
Step #1: Choose an Approach
Choosing an approach that aligns with your personal interests and beliefs can quickly help to narrow the list. Below are some commonly used filters among the South Asian community to select the perfect name.
A. Baby Names by Birth Star. One way to name your baby is according to her Nakshatram or birth star. According to Vedic Astrology, one’s birth star can have a significant influence on the life cycle of a person and her personality traits. In other words, it’s considered good luck. How can you determine your baby’s birth star? The most common way in South Asia is to consult a priest or Vedic astrologer. If you don’t have access to either before leaving the hospital, get your hands on a Nakshatram calculator.
B. Baby Names by Rashi. Another way to name your baby is by her Rashi. According to Vedic Astrology, each of the 12 zodiac signs has two and one quarter constellations and each constellation is further divided into four parts (charan). Each charan is assigned a letter and that letter is the ideal starting letter for the baby. How can you determine your baby’s rashi? Again, the conventional way is to consult a priest or a vedic astrologer, but fortunately for those without regular access to the internet is very useful.
C. Baby Names by Meaning. Often, couples and/or families have strong attachments to the meaning of a name, especially one that triggers a specific emotion, memory or event. A CitySaheli friend has a name that’s derived from the Hindu goddess Parvati. Coincidentally, her husband’s name is a representation of the Lord Shiva who was Parvati’s husband according to the ancient Vedas. Together, Parvati and Shiva created a son named Ganesh so when it came time to naming their son, they scoured for any and all names that were derived from Ganesh. Certain websites like the one below have search engines geared specifically for this:
D. Baby Names by Khandan (Family Lineage). As earnestly depicted in the movie, The Namesake, many South Asian families ask relatives, especially elders, to name their baby. Each family chooses the name based on different things. The husband’s sister in many Indian cultures is often given the responsibility of choosing the baby’s name. With so many other baby details to manage, why not take a task off your plate?
E. Aesthetic Synergy with Last Name. Last, but certainly not least- you may be inclined to pick a name simply on how it sounds, especially with your last name. And why not? Your baby’s first and last name will be said together many times in her lifetime. Shouldn’t it sound nice?
Step #2: Choose a Category:
Once you’ve selected the right approach for you and your family, select the category that best meets your requirements. With over 50,000+ names to choose from, identifying the right category can help slim the list down even further.
A. Traditional Names. Traditional Indian names never go out of style, especially now with families picking names to be culturally sophisticated. Click on the resources below for more information:
B. Religious Names. Many couples are inclined to name their baby after a religious deity or icon. No matter what the religion, this, too, is a classic move. The website below has a comprehensive database of names from all south asian religions.
C. “Fusion” Names. If you are drawn to a name that has South Asian Roots but also has a western flair, you are likely seeking a “fusion” name. The names that are considered “fusion” are based largely on personal preference. CitySaheli picks include:
- Boys: Jay/Jai, Dev, ,Neal, Krish, Aryan, Arya, Kiran, Zane, Nalin, Kannan
- Girls: Anya, Eesha, Aleena, Sahana, Asha, Veena, Krisha, Sarina, Monica, Sonya
D. Create Your Own. You may find that none of the categories above appeal to you. This is when it may be time to create your own name. Use root words to create your own name. A CitySaheli friend recently named her son, Jaiden, using the root word, Jai (victory).
Step 3: Have some fun!
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of names to just a few, below are some fun, context setting exercises.
A. Other Cultures/ Languages. Often South Asian names exist in other cultures. This link below will tell you if you’ve picked one of them and what it means in other languages.
B. Name Popularity. How popular is the name that you picked? Enter the name(s) in the website below to learn more:
C. Numerology. Just how lucky is the name you picked? According to the study of Vedic numerology, the luckiness of your “name number” can tell you how strong your relationships will be with other people. How can you tell just how lucky your name is? Use the calculator below and have fun with it. You can enter various combinations of a name (with or without last name, with or without middle name or middle initial) in this site and see which is the luckiest.
Whatever your approach, enjoy the process. It is often said that when you meet your baby, then you’ll know what his or her name should be. It’ll just come to you. Congratulations and enjoy the process!
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