As stated above, after the birth of a boy the naming is delayed until the circumcision. By contrast, in the case of a girl, the birth itself is considered like her “circumcision,” and accordingly she is named without delay, commonly during the Torah reading at a service following the birth. In this sense a girl has an advantage over a boy, as she receives at birth the level of soul that a boy receives on the eighth day.

Further reading: For more on the calling of a name and its meaning, see A Concise Guide to Mahshava, p. 7.

The Torah is read on Shabbat morning, during the afternoon prayer of Shabbat, and in the morning service on Mondays and Thursdays, Rosh Hodesh, major and minor festivals, and on fast days. The new father may use any of these opportunities to be called up to the Torah. At the end of the reading of the father’s portion, the synagogue sexton [gabbai], who oversees the service, recites a blessing for the mother and child, and announces the name of the baby girl. This should be arranged in advance with the gabbai.

It is recommended to name the child on the first opportunity the father has to be called to the reading of the Torah, but some name the daughter on the Shabbat after the birth, or shortly thereafter.

Since the birth of a daughter does not involve the fulfillment of a specific mitzva, as is the case with circumcision of a boy, various customs have evolved over the years to mark the event in a celebratory manner that expresses one’s thanks to God. One possibility is to hold a kiddush in the synagogue. This is a light meal that takes place in the synagogue on Shabbat morning after the completion of the morning prayer. It starts with the recitation of Kiddush over wine, for which it is named.

During the kiddush, it is customary for the guests to express their best wishes and congratulations to the parents, and to wish the baby well. People will also typically deliver words of Torah at the kiddush.

This event should of course be arranged in advance with the relevant synagogue officials.

Another possibility is to hold a Zeved HaBat party, a celebratory event for the birth of a daughter [bat]. The word zeved means a gift, expressing the idea that the daughter is a precious gift. The expression comes from the statement of our matriarch Leah after the birth of one of her sons, Zebulun: “God has granted me a fine gift [zeved]” (Genesis 30:20).

Some have the practice of giving the girl her name at the kiddush or the Zeved HaBat party.

There are different versions of prayers and verses that can be recited at a Zeved HaBat. The following is one of the most common versions:

“My dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the covert of the terrace: Show me your appearance, let me hear your voice, for your voice is pleasant, and your appearance is lovely” (Song of Songs 2:14).

In the case of a firstborn daughter, one adds:

“Unique is my faultless dove, unique to her mother, pure to the one who bore her. Girls see her and laud her, queens and concubines, and praise her” (Song of Songs 6:9).

The individual assigned to announce the girl’s name at the ceremony says:

“He who blessed our forebears Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, and Miriam the prophetess, and Avigayil, and Queen Esther the daughter of Avihayil, may He bless this lovely child. And let her name be called [chosen name], daughter of [father’s name], for good fortune and at a time of blessing. May her parents raise her in health, peace, and tranquility, and may her father and mother merit to see her joy and her wedding canopy, and to see her with sons and daughters, wealth and honor. ‘They will continue to yield fruit even in old age; they will remain full and fresh’ (Psalms 92:15). So may it be [God’s] will, and let us say: ‘Amen.’”

Some add the verse:

“They blessed Rebecca, and said to her: Our sister, may you become thousands and ten thousands” (Genesis 24:60).

Those present proceed with verses of thanksgiving and congratulations:

“A song of ascents. Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways. When you eat of the labor of your hands, you are happy, and it is good for you. Your wife is like a fruitful vine by the side of your house; your children, like young olive trees surrounding your table. Indeed, so shall a man who fears the Lord be blessed. May the Lord bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. And may you see the children of your children. Peace to Israel” (Psalms 128).

It should be noted that the two aforementioned ceremonies, the kiddush and the Zeved HaBat, are not considered a mitzva or a halakhic obligation. Likewise, they do not have to be performed on a specific date, and therefore one may hold them at any time.