Karthigai nakshatra baby names: starting letters

By tradition, a baby born in Karthigai nakshatra takes a name beginning with: pada 1 "a" (அ), pada 2 "i" (இ), pada 3 "u" (உ), pada 4 "e" (ஏ).

Karthigai: pada and letter

Pada	Tamil letter	Sound	Rasi
1	அ	a (अ)	Mesham
2	இ	i (इ)	Rishabam
3	உ	u (उ)	Rishabam
4	ஏ	e (ए)	Rishabam

Karthigai padas 1 fall in Mesham rasi, padas 2, 3, 4 in Rishabam.

Source: Yajnavalkya Smriti with the Mitakshara, tr. Srisa Chandra Vidyarnava (Allahabad, 1918), pp. 38-39; Sat Kriya Sara Dipika of Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, the naming-ceremony section

Pada 1: names beginning with "a" (அ)

Arunboy · the red glow of dawn
Anbugirl or boy · love
Amudhagirl · nectar
Arivazhaganboy · wise and handsome
Arulmozhigirl or boy · words full of grace
Abiramigirl · the Goddess of Thirukadavur
Akilagirl · the whole world
Azhaganboy · handsome one; a name of Murugan

Pada 2: names beginning with "i" (இ)

Ilangoboy · young prince
Iniyagirl · sweet one
Isaigirl · music
Ilavarasigirl · princess
Indiragirl · a name of Lakshmi
Ilamaranboy · a young Pandya prince

Pada 3: names beginning with "u" (உ)

Umagirl · Parvati
Udhayagirl or boy · sunrise
Umapathiboy · Uma's consort, Shiva
Ushagirl · dawn
Uthamanboy · the noble one
Ulaganathanboy · lord of the world

Pada 4: names beginning with "e" (ஏ)

Ekambaramboy · Shiva as Ekambaranathar of Kanchipuram
Ezhumalaiboy · Lord of the Seven Hills, Tirupati
Ekanathanboy · the one lord
Endhizhaigirl · one adorned with jewels (a classical word)

These are only a few examples. The choice of name is your family's; follow what your family priest or elders advise.

Frequently asked

Which letters suit a Karthigai nakshatra baby's name?

By tradition, a baby born in Karthigai nakshatraநட்சத்திரம்: One of the 27 star groups the Moon passes through, about one a day. The one at your birth is your birth star. takes a name beginning with: pada 1 "a" (அ), pada 2 "i" (இ), pada 3 "u" (உ), pada 4 "e" (ஏ).

How do I know the pada?

The pada depends on the minute of birth. Give the date, time and place to this site's baby-name calculator and it gives the star, the pada and the letter. A horoscope also states the pada.

Must the name begin with the star's letter?

It is a family tradition, not a rule. Many families keep the star-letter name for ceremonies and call the child by another. The choice is the family's.