How to handle
baby name advice

Dealing with a new baby can be a roller coaster ride, if you are still in the process of choosing a name it can add further pressure to the situation. Traditionally in an Indian family grand parents, in laws and external family can influence the baby naming process, this is usually marked with a baby naming ceremony on the 6th day after the baby is born.

Traditionally Hindu families consult the Vedic astrology process which looks at the stars of when the baby was born also know as ‘Janma nakshatra’ which gives parents two initials for the first name. Various names are put forward at the naming ceremony based on the initials given and a name is chosen at the baby naming ceremony.

This traditional process can take place even if the parents have decided to choose a name without consulting the astrology process. Either way whether you choose to go down this route or not we have put together some tips on how to handle the naming process which ever direction you decide to take.

Listen and consider all options

Listen and consider all options, whether you are religious or not, all families will have different ways of doing things. Consider this process before the baby arrives which will give you a clear head to think about the route that you and your partner want to take.

Once you are informed from both sides of your family ask a few of your friends who may have gone through similar situations. Then take a step back and mull it over with your partner before deciding.

Be brave and stand by your guns

It can be difficult breaking news to your family on the route you want to take with the baby’s naming process. Whether you go along with tradition, make a few changes or decide to forgo tradition altogether; be brave, be bold and stand by your choice. At the end of the day it is your baby, your family and ultimately your decision.

Focus on the positive

Once the baby arrives and the naming process has been dealt with you may still get a few family members who will try and change and influence your decision. In this scenario it is important to be patient but firm, making it clear to the family member that you are sticking with the name you have chosen and you would like them to respect that. Ultimately it is all about the new arrival and your family members will be too engrossed in the baby excitement to focus on anything else!

Read: Indian and Sikh baby showers Godh Bharai