COMMON QUESTIONS

What is the difference between getting a name picked by the Guru Granth Sahib and by your parents? Are there any advantages in either way?


The name is always picked by the parents whether in the Gurdwara or in the home. In the Gurdwara, when the function is over, a hymn is read from the Guru Granth Sahib. The first letter of the first word of the hymn is used as the first letter of the name to be chosen. The parents discuss it with their friends and the name they decide, is announced by the Granthi Sahib. This name is agreed to by the whole Sangat with a Bole So Nihal Jaikara.

The real advantage is that it builds our faith in the Guru Granth Sahib. It is good to start and live our lives with the faith. The name giving ceremony in the Gurdwara also makes the name known to all the people in the community.