Babies born with the Moon in Punarvasu get a name beginning with the syllable of their pada: Ke (के), Ko (को), Ha (हा), Hi (ही).
Pada 1 — Syllable “Ke (के)”
Boys · 5 names
Boys
Meaning
Ketan
Home; banner
Kedar
Lord Shiva
Keshav
Lord Krishna
Kailash
Abode of Lord Shiva
Kaivalya
Liberation
Girls · 3 names
Girls
Meaning
Ketaki
A fragrant flower
Keya
Monsoon flower
Kesar
Saffron
Pada 2 — Syllable “Ko (को)”
Boys · 3 names
Boys
Meaning
Kaushal
Skill
Kaushik
Sage Vishwamitra
Kaustubh
Jewel of Lord Vishnu
Girls · 5 names
Girls
Meaning
Kokila
Cuckoo
Komal
Soft; tender
Koyal
Cuckoo
Kaumudi
Moonlight
Kaushalya
Mother of Lord Rama
Pada 3 — Syllable “Ha (हा)”
Boys · 8 names
Boys
Meaning
Hansraj
King of swans
Hari
Lord Vishnu
Harish
Lord Vishnu
Harsh
Joy
Harshad
Giver of joy
Harshit
Joyful
Hasmukh
Cheerful
Hardik
Heartfelt
Girls · 4 names
Girls
Meaning
Hansika
Little swan
Harini
Deer
Harshita
Joyful
Hasini
Smiling; happy
Pada 4 — Syllable “Hi (ही)”
Boys · 5 names
Boys
Meaning
Hitesh
Lord of goodness
Himanshu
Moon
Himadri
Himalaya
Hiranya
Gold
Hrishikesh
Lord Vishnu
Girls · 4 names
Girls
Meaning
Himaja
Goddess Parvati
Himani
Glacier; snow
Hiya
Heart
Heera
Diamond
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.