naam Karan
The Sikh Naming Ceremonyintroduction
Naam Karan is the Sikh ceremony of naming a child. It typically takes place in a Gurdwara — the Sikh place of worship — once the baby and mother are medically ready to attend. There is no fixed timetable for this ceremony, as every family’s situation is different and the wellbeing of mother and child always comes first. Consequently, the family should feel no pressure and arrange it only when both are well and ready to make this joyful journey to the Guru’s house.
Preparing for the Ceremony
As soon as the family is ready, the father or a senior family member arranges the ceremony at the Gurdwara. The family organises Karah Prasad for the occasion. The congregation sings various Shabads of thanks, joy and support, followed by the short Anand Sahib (six pauris). If a Sahaj Paath has been arranged, the Bhog of this reading takes place at this point.
The Naming — Hukamnama
The main part of the ceremony is the naming of the baby. The Granthi performs Ardas in the usual way, asking God to grant the child good health, guide them to serve the Panth and country with devotion, and honour their family and faith. The Ardas concludes with a prayer for a name for the child.
After the Ardas, the Granthi takes the Hukamnama — a randomly selected passage from the Guru Granth Sahib. The first letter of the first word of the Hukam becomes the opening letter of the child’s name. For example, if the Hukam begins with the word ‘Sagal’, the child’s name starts with the letter S.
Announcing the Name
Once the family selects a name beginning with the chosen letter, the word Kaur is added for girls and Singh for boys. The Granthi then announces the child’s name to the Sangat (congregation) and leads the Jakara — Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal.
After the Ceremony
With the Jakara, the ceremony is complete. The parents should begin calling their child by the name announced in the Sangat. Furthermore, the name should then be registered with the appropriate legal authorities.
A Name Before God
Naam Karan is one of the most beautiful expressions of the Sikh belief that every human life begins and ends in the presence of God. By placing the choice of name in the hands of the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhs acknowledge that their children belong first to the Waheguru — the wonderful Lord — before they belong to their parents or their community
“The name given on that day is not just a label — it is a blessing, a prayer, and a lifelong reminder of where every Sikh life truly begins.”
