Traditionally, the Namkaran ceremony is conducted after the 'Jatakarma' samskara, which is performed at the time of the birth of the child.

Nowadays, with more and more births taking place in the hospital, this ritual has become a part of the Namkaran ceremony, which is performed within a few weeks of the baby's birth.

Strictly speaking, the naming ceremony should be held 11 days after birth-immediately preceding the 'Sutika' or 'Shuddhikaran' period when the mother and child are confined to intensive post-partum or post-natal care. However, the 11th day is not fixed and can be decided by the parents based on a priest or an astrologers advice, and can extend even up to the baby's first birthday.