Contrary to the Bard's claim that what is in a name, the rose will smell just as sweet if called by some other name, some hold the view, 'God's name is greater than even God'. We have name, first name, last name, middle name, surname, nickname, pen-name etc. etc. One important post-natal task is naming the baby. Why is naming a baby so important? Because our ancestors were sure that the fate of any person depends on name. perhaps not so much as gender but name allow children to psychologically be aware of themselves as individuals. It is an important aspect of development. A doting mother would use a million names to koo-chee-koo her child- angel, dolly, sweety and the list goes on and on…..

Naming a baby involves a ceremony in most of the cultures of the world. In baptism when the baby is christened his name is reinforced by its use in public in church.

Hindu babies’ astrological chart is cast by a priest at the naming ceremony based on the exact time of its birth. Hindu name their babies on the name of Gods, great personalities.

Muslims name their babies after prophets' or based on Arabic terms which mean good attributes and personal qualities like honesty, integrity.

The Chinese include the five principal elements metal, wood, water, fire and earth in the names of their babies.

Commonly the names are kept after the celebrities or great people in the past. Babies are named after eminent person in the hope that the child inherits that nobility or greatness.

Tips to choose baby names- one should avoid picking out meaningless names based on easy sounds. In the times to come with the world becoming smaller, one would travel extensively, as well as people immigrate so the name ought not to be ridiculously embarrassing so as to make the poor person a laughing stock. Names should be easy to pronounce as well as easy on ears. No tongue-twisting names please. Names should not sound like the names of some exotic foreign dish.

Whatever the name be the baby should be given such upbringing so as to prove true to their names.

Check out some interesting Tamil baby names, Kannada songs and know about child labor on these links.