Baby Names by Nakshatra – Lucky First Letters for All 27 Birth Stars

In three steps

1. Note the exact birth date, time (to the minute) and place.
2. Find the nakshatra and pada the Moon was in at birth (one pada is 3°20′ — about 6 hours).
3. Choose a name that starts with that pada’s syllable and has a meaning and sound you love.

Syllables for the 27 nakshatras

The table uses the Avakahada chakra, the standard Indian list. The Sinhala tradition uses its own letters — see the Sinhala version of this page or our baby-names tool.

Nakshatra	Pada 1	Pada 2	Pada 3	Pada 4
1. Ashwini	Chu	Che	Cho	La
2. Bharani	Li	Lu	Le	Lo
3. Krittika	A	I	U	E
4. Rohini	O	Va	Vi	Vu
5. Mrigashira	Ve	Vo	Ka	Ki
6. Ardra	Ku	Gha	Na	Chha
7. Punarvasu	Ke	Ko	Ha	Hi
8. Pushya	Hu	He	Ho	Da
9. Ashlesha	Di	Du	De	Do
10. Magha	Ma	Mi	Mu	Me
11. Purva Phalguni	Mo	Ta	Ti	Tu
12. Uttara Phalguni	Te	To	Pa	Pi
13. Hasta	Pu	Sha	Na	Tha
14. Chitra	Pe	Po	Ra	Ri
15. Swati	Ru	Re	Ro	Ta
16. Vishakha	Ti	Tu	Te	To
17. Anuradha	Na	Ni	Nu	Ne
18. Jyeshtha	No	Ya	Yi	Yu
19. Mula	Ye	Yo	Bha	Bhi
20. Purva Ashadha	Bhu	Dha	Pha	Dha
21. Uttara Ashadha	Bhe	Bho	Ja	Ji
22. Shravana	Khi	Khu	Khe	Kho
23. Dhanishta	Ga	Gi	Gu	Ge
24. Shatabhisha	Go	Sa	Si	Su
25. Purva Bhadrapada	Se	So	Da	Di
26. Uttara Bhadrapada	Du	Tha	Jha	Na
27. Revati	De	Do	Cha	Chi

Choosing a good name

A clear, auspicious meaning
Easy to say and a good fit with the family name
If the birth time is uncertain, consider both neighbouring padas

Lucky letters & Sinhala names Find the nakshatra & pada

Frequently asked questions

What are nakshatra letters?

The auspicious first syllables for each pada of the birth nakshatra. Traditionally the name starts with one of them.

What if the birth time is not exact?

A pada lasts about 6 hours, so an approximate time often still gives the right pada. If unsure, consider both neighbouring padas.

This page gives general information from traditional Vedic astrology. For important decisions, have your full chart read by a qualified astrologer.

Naming a baby by the birth star

In three steps

Syllables for the 27 nakshatras

Choosing a good name

Frequently asked questions