Baby naming traditions vary widely around the world. In Japan, babies receive their official name at a naming ceremony called Oshichiya Meimeishiki held on the seventh night after birth, where the father handwrites the name. In Ghana and Ivory Coast, the Akan people give names corresponding to the day of the week the child was born and their sex. Hawaiians believe a baby's name is their greatest possession and influences their life, so names are chosen thoughtfully and can be inspired by family, circumstances of birth, or signs from the gods.

1. Baby Naming Traditions
From Around the World
Source: Huffington Post

2. Japanese Traditions
Japanese families hold a baby naming ceremony on
the seventh night after a newborn’s birth called,
Oshichiya Meimeishiki. Once a name is chosen, the
father has it handwritten in Japanese calligraphy on
the Meimeisho (a name certificate in the form a
scroll or poster), which is displayed in the home.
It was once common for baby girls to receive
virtuous names that end in -ko, which means “child”
(ex.Yoshiko means "good child"). When families
were larger, Japanese boys were often named
according to their birth order (ex. Ichiro means “first
son”).

3. Akan Traditions
The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast
follow a unique naming system. A child’s first name
typically corresponds with the day of the week they
were born and their sex (an Akan male born on
Monday would be called "Kwadwo," and Akan
female born on Monday would be called "Adwoa").
Babies can also receive names based on the
circumstances of their birth, their birth order or
whether they are a twin. Variations of this naming
practice are used across West Africa and the
African diaspora.

4. Hawaiian Traditions
Traditionally, Hawaiians believed that a person’s
name was their greatest possession and had the
power to influence their life. A unique and
meaningful name was thoughtfully chosen for every
child. A name could be passed down to relatives
from the gods via signs, visions or dreams. A child
could also be named after a family member, or
according to the circumstances of their birth.
Additionally, the moniker chosen had to align with
the family’s social class, and could never be taken
from another family. Authentic Hawaiian names
were unisex, and in addition to its literal meaning, a
child’s name also had symbolic meanings that only
the family knew.

5. Jewish Traditions
Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews traditionally name a
child after a living relative. Ashkenazi Jews, on the
other hand, will often give a child a name that
honours a deceased relative. However, it is
considered bad luck for both the child and their
namesake if the infant is named after a living
relative.
Parents may keep the baby's name a secret until the
official naming ceremony, which is held when the
baby is eight days old. Children often receive a
Hebrew name and an English name.

6. Chinese Traditions
Traditionally, Chinese parents named a newborn 100
days after their birth. Now parents have one month
before they must register a child’s name. During this
period, a superstitious practice was to give a baby a
“milk” name that was offensive, such as “mud face” or
“excrement.” This revolting name was believed to keep
evil spirits away from the child during their fragile first
days. A child’s milk name may stick with them as a
nickname throughout childhood.
In Chinese tradition, much thought is put into naming a
child, as it is believed that a name can influence a
person’s life. Therefore, a name typically expresses the
family’s hopes for a child’s future. Parents draw
inspiration from a child's birth date and the five elements.
It is taboo to name a child after a celebrity, an elder, a
ruler or a historical figure.

7. Inuit Traditions
The Inuit believe that a name is an essential part of a
person, carrying with it certain skills and character traits.
Parents choose the name of a deceased loved one,
called an "atiq" or "soul name," a few days after he or
she is born. Only then are they considered a complete
person. The Inuit believe that child will receive the
relative's spirit and traits. The child must also adopt the
kinship terms that their namesake used (ie. if a child is
named after their mother’s father, she may refer to the
child as “father”). They also believe a newborn will stop
crying once the correct name has been chosen.
The mother also has the option of choosing the name of
a deceased relative that appeared to her in a dream
while she was pregnant or one that had a similar
birthmark to her child’s.

8. Egyptian Traditions
Egyptians have a naming ceremony called “Sebou”
held seven days after a child’s birth. To settle any
controversy surrounding the baby's name, some
parents decide on at least three names and assign
each name to a candle. The candles are lit at the
beginning of the ceremony, and the child will take
the name of the candle that burns the longest.

9. Hindu Traditions
Hindus consider naming a baby to be a sacred
practice. Hindu families hold a naming ceremony
called "Namakaran" or "Naamkaran Sanskar" on the
11th night of a child’s life or even later in certain
communities. A family priest or an astronomer often
chooses the first letter of the child’s name based on
the date and time of their birth, as well as the
alignment of the stars and planets at that time. It’s
considered lucky for the child to receive a name that
begins with this letter. In some communities, the
naming ceremony is performed by the paternal aunt
who chooses a name for the child and whispers it into
his or her ears, before announcing it to the family.

10. Islam Traditions
A baby is named on the seventh day after his or her
birth. The mother and father decide on an Islamic
name together that has a positive or virtuous meaning.
Parents often name their children in honour of the
prophets, such as Ali, Ibrahim or Mohammed. It is not
uncommon for siblings to share the same name.
At the Doopmal (name-giving ceremony), prayers are
said for the future protection of the baby. It is
customary to give out sugar and dates to ensure a
sweet future for the child. Traditionally, the baby is
dressed in a medoura, a scarf embroidered with gold
thread and decorated with fresh flowers.