Babies born with the Moon in Ashwini get a name beginning with the syllable of their pada: Chu (चु), Che (चे), Cho (चो), La (ला).
Pada 1 — Syllable “Chu (चु)”
Boys · 1 name
Boys
Meaning
Chudamani
Crest jewel
Girls · 0 names
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Pada 2 — Syllable “Che (चे)”
Boys · 4 names
Boys
Meaning
Chetan
Consciousness; life
Chetas
Mind; intelligence
Chaitanya
Consciousness
Chaitra
First month of Hindu calendar
Girls · 3 names
Girls
Meaning
Chetana
Consciousness; awareness
Chaitali
Born in Chaitra month
Chaitri
Born in Chaitra month
Pada 3 — Syllable “Cho (चो)”
Few names begin with this syllable; families often use the next syllable of the same nakshatra or the rashi letters. Other names with the consonant “Ch (च)”:
Boys · 21 names
Boys
Meaning
Chandan
Sandalwood
Chandra
Moon
Chandrakant
Moonstone
Chandresh
Lord of the moon
Chakor
A bird devoted to the moon
Chakradhar
Lord Vishnu
Chakrapani
Lord Vishnu
Chatur
Clever
Chanakya
Ancient scholar and strategist
Charudatta
Born of beauty
Chintan
Contemplation
Chinmay
Full of knowledge
Chiranjeev
Long-lived
Chirantan
Eternal
Chirag
Lamp
Chirayu
Long-lived
Chudamani
Crest jewel
Chetan
Consciousness; life
Chetas
Mind; intelligence
Chaitanya
Consciousness
Chaitra
First month of Hindu calendar
Girls · 16 names
Girls
Meaning
Chandramukhi
Moon-faced
Chandrika
Moonlight
Chandrima
Moon
Chameli
Jasmine
Chandni
Moonlight
Charu
Beautiful
Charumati
Beautiful-minded
Charulata
Beautiful creeper
Charvi
Beautiful woman
Chitralekha
Picture; a celestial nymph
Chitra
Picture; a nakshatra
Chitrangada
Wife of Arjuna
Chinmayi
Supreme consciousness
Chetana
Consciousness; awareness
Chaitali
Born in Chaitra month
Chaitri
Born in Chaitra month
Pada 4 — Syllable “La (ला)”
Boys · 5 names
Boys
Meaning
Lakshit
Distinguished
Lakshman
Brother of Lord Rama
Lakshya
Aim; target
Lalit
Graceful; beautiful
Lav
Son of Lord Rama
Girls · 10 names
Girls
Meaning
Lakshita
Distinguished
Lakshmi
Goddess of wealth
Lajja
Modesty
Lata
Creeper
Lalita
Graceful; Goddess Parvati
Lajwanti
Modest; touch-me-not
Ladli
Beloved daughter
Lalima
Redness; glow
Lavanya
Grace; beauty
Lasya
Graceful dance
Meanings are the commonly accepted ones; many names have more than one. The namakshar custom is a tradition, not a rule — many families also consider the family deity, the grandparents' names or the rashi letter.
Frequently asked questions
What is namakshar?
Namakshar is the auspicious first syllable for a name, taken from the pada (quarter) of the nakshatra the Moon was in at birth. Each of the 27 nakshatras has four padas, giving 108 syllables.
How do I find my baby's nakshatra?
Enter the date, exact time and place of birth in the finder above. The Moon's position at that moment gives the nakshatra and pada, and from it the syllable.