The Life Cycle . Naming a child

Sikh Names and Their Significance

Most but not all names are derived from the Guru Granth Sahib and in most cases describe God's attributes and not ours.  (ie. immortal, infinite beauty, most intelligent, unfathomable, unapproachable, victorious, pure, ageless etc.) 

In 1699, Sikh Women were given the last name 'Kaur' and and Men 'Singh' by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru. This initiate intended to end the caste system, social stratification and much of the apparatus of Hindu ritual and legalism.  In Indian society, an individual's name reveals his or her caste, and Sikhs were freed from the caste system by having all men incorporate Singh in their names and all women, Kaur.  

Buy books on Sikh Names

How to change your name?

Need a Sikh baby name?

Start the process below

• Choose a letter 

  by taking a vaak online from the Hukam. 

  • Today's Hukam from the Harmandir Sahib.  What is Hukam?

  • Audio Hukamnama from the Harminder Sahib

  • Cyber Hukam

  • At home, you can open the Guru Granth Sahib to a random page and the first letter of the first word on the top of the left page is the letter designated for the child's first name.  If the word is broken or is a continuation of the previous page then turn back the page and pick the letter on the top of the previous left page.  (Phew!).  Akhand Path precedes the Hukam Nama (you knew that!).

  • Browse through a listing of Sikh Names and their meanings.  Where applicable, the reference to the guru granth sahib is also provided so that the user may understand the context in which the word is used.