Complete Guide to Name Numerology

Name numerology is the branch of numerology that studies how the letters in your name—and the number they produce—influence your personality, opportunities, and life path. Your name number (also called Naamank or Name Number) is derived from the letters in your full official name using a letter-to-number chart. Unlike your birth number (Mulank), which is fixed by your date of birth, your name number can be changed through name correction so it aligns with your birth number and supports your goals. This guide covers how name numerology works, the main systems (Chaldean vs Pythagorean), how to calculate your name number, when and how to correct a name, and worked examples. You will also find links to our detailed pages on how to calculate name number, Chaldean chart, Pythagorean chart, name correction, lucky names, baby name numerology, business name numerology, and alphabet numerology.

On this page: What Is Name Numerology? · Chaldean vs Pythagorean · How Name Number Is Calculated · Name Correction · Worked Examples · Why It Matters · Letter Values · Summary

What Is Name Numerology?

In numerology, every letter has a numeric value. When you add the values of all the letters in your full name and reduce them to a single digit (or a Master number like 11 or 22), you get your name number. This number is thought to influence how you behave, how others see you, and what kinds of opportunities and challenges you attract. Name numerology is used for personal names (including name correction and baby name selection) and for business names (see business name numerology). The two most common systems for assigning numbers to letters are Chaldean and Pythagorean; which one you use affects the final name number. For Indian names and name correction work, Chaldean is generally preferred because it is sound-based and handles Indian phonetics better.

Chaldean vs Pythagorean: Which System to Use?

Chaldean Numerology

Chaldean numerology is an ancient system linked to Babylon. It assigns numbers to letters based on sound and vibration, not alphabetical order. The Chaldean chart does not use the number 9 for any letter; numbers run from 1 to 8. It is widely used in India for name analysis and name correction because it accommodates Indian names and complex sounds (e.g. Sh, Ch, Dh, Th) more naturally. If you want to learn the full chart and letter values, see our Chaldean numerology chart page.

Typical Chaldean values (simplified): A, I, J, Q, Y = 1; B, K, R = 2; C, G, L, S = 3; D, M, T = 4; E, H, N, X = 5; U, V, W = 6; O, Z = 7; F, P = 8. (No letter = 9.)

Pythagorean Numerology

Pythagorean numerology is the system most common in the West. It uses the digits 1–9 in order: A=1, B=2, C=3, … I=9, then J=1, K=2, and so on in a repeating cycle. It is simpler to memorize and is often used in Western name calculators and life path number calculations. For Indian names and name correction, many practitioners still prefer Chaldean for better phonetic fit. For the full letter grid, see our Pythagorean chart page.

When to Use Which

• Chaldean: Preferred for Indian names, name correction, baby name numerology, and business name numerology in an Indian context. Sound-based and better for names with regional or Sanskrit-derived sounds.
• Pythagorean: Common for Western names and for life path / birth date calculations. Useful if you are comparing with Western sources or using a name number calculator that uses this system.

You can calculate the same name in both systems and compare; often one system will resonate more with your experience. For a step-by-step calculation in both systems, see how to calculate name number.

How Name Number Is Calculated (Brief)

You take the full name as on official records (first, middle, surname). Using either the Chaldean or Pythagorean chart, assign a number to each letter, add the values for each name part, reduce each part to one digit (or keep 11/22/33), then add those and reduce again to get your final name number. Vowel and consonant breakdowns are used in some methods (e.g. destiny from vowels, personality from consonants). Full instructions with examples are on how to calculate name number.

Name Correction Explained

Name correction (name change numerology or naam sudhar) means changing the spelling of your name so that the new spelling gives a name number that aligns with your birth number (Mulank) and supports your goals. The change is usually small: an extra letter, a different spelling of the same sound, or a slight adjustment that keeps the name recognizable. Name correction does not require a legal name change in all cases; many people use the corrected spelling on visiting cards, social media, and in daily use while keeping the legal name for documents. Benefits people seek include better career luck, confidence, relationships, and reduced obstacles. For when to do it, how it works, and what to expect, read our full name correction guide.

Worked Example: Chaldean Name Number

Name: Riya Sharma (using Chaldean chart).

• R = 2, I = 1, Y = 1, A = 1 → Riya = 2+1+1+1 = 5.
• S = 3, H = 5, A = 1, R = 2, M = 4, A = 1 → Sharma = 3+5+1+2+4+1 = 16 → 1+6 = 7.
• Total: 5 + 7 = 12 → 1+2 = 3. So the name number is 3.

If Riya’s birth number (Mulank) were 3, this name would be in harmony. If her Mulank were 4 or 8, a numerologist might suggest a name correction (e.g. adding a letter or changing a spelling) so the name number becomes 4 or 8, or another compatible number.

Worked Example: Pythagorean Name Number

Name: Riya Sharma (using Pythagorean: A=1, B=2, …, I=9, J=1, …).

• R=9, I=9, Y=7, A=1 → Riya = 9+9+7+1 = 26 → 2+6 = 8.
• S=1, H=8, A=1, R=9, M=4, A=1 → Sharma = 1+8+1+9+4+1 = 24 → 2+4 = 6.
• Total: 8 + 6 = 14 → 1+4 = 5. So in Pythagorean, the name number is 5.

Same name, different system, different number. This is why it is important to stick to one system (usually Chaldean for Indian names) when doing name correction or choosing a lucky name.

Why Name Number Matters

Your name is used constantly—in introductions, on documents, and in your own mind. The vibration of the name number is thought to affect:

• Personality and confidence – how you present yourself and feel in social and professional settings.
• Career and opportunities – alignment with your birth number can support recognition and growth.
• Relationships – name number compatibility is sometimes used alongside birth number compatibility.
• Life challenges – a mismatched name number is believed by some to create avoidable obstacles; name correction aims to reduce that mismatch.

For babies, choosing a name whose number fits the birth number is the idea behind baby name numerology. For businesses, the same logic applies to business name numerology: a business name number that fits the owner and the industry is thought to support trust and growth.

Lucky Names and Name Number

A lucky name in numerology is one whose name number is compatible with your birth number (Mulank) and, where relevant, your destiny number (Bhagyank). What is “lucky” depends on your chart; there is no single lucky number for everyone. You can explore the idea in our lucky name guide. For new babies, baby name numerology helps you shortlist names that match the child’s Mulank. For businesses, business name numerology does the same for the venture and the owner.

Alphabet and Letter Values

The exact number assigned to each letter depends on the system. For a full letter-to-number reference, see our Chaldean chart and Pythagorean chart pages. For the role of vowels vs consonants and how they are used in different calculations, see alphabet numerology. These pages are essential if you want to calculate your name number yourself or understand how a numerologist arrived at a suggestion.

Summary and Next Steps

Name numerology uses the letters of your name to derive a name number that is believed to influence your personality, opportunities, and success. The Chaldean system is preferred for Indian names and name correction; the Pythagorean system is common in the West and for life path work. Name correction adjusts the spelling of your name so the new name number aligns with your birth number. Worked examples show that the same name can yield different numbers in Chaldean vs Pythagorean, so consistency in system choice matters.

For more detail, use the guides below:

• How to calculate name number – step-by-step with examples
• Chaldean numerology chart – full Chaldean letter values
• Pythagorean chart – full Pythagorean letter values
• Name correction – when and how to correct your name
• Lucky name – choosing a name that fits your birth number
• Baby name numerology – naming a newborn by birth number
• Business name numerology – choosing a business name by number
• Alphabet numerology – letters, vowels, consonants, and values

If you want a personalised name analysis or name correction, you can book a numerology consultation with CA Shikha Nikhil Dokania for an in-person session in Bangalore or an online session pan-India.

Chaldean vs Pythagorean in More Detail

Chaldean numerology is rooted in ancient Babylonian tradition and is sound-vibration based. Each letter is assigned a value from 1 to 8 (the number 9 is reserved for absent or silent letters in some interpretations). The grouping of letters does not follow the alphabet; instead, letters that share similar phonetic or vibrational qualities are grouped together. For example, in Chaldean, A, I, J, Q, and Y all equal 1 because of their sound quality. This makes the system especially useful for Indian names, where spellings can vary (e.g. Sameer, Samir, Sameera) and where compound sounds (Sh, Ch, Th, Dh) are common. Practitioners who offer name correction in India often use Chaldean so that the suggested spellings stay true to how the name is pronounced while still shifting the name number to a favourable value. For the complete table, see the Chaldean numerology chart.

Pythagorean numerology follows a simple pattern: A=1, B=2, C=3, D=4, E=5, F=6, G=7, H=8, I=9, then J=1, K=2, and so on in a repeating 1–9 cycle. It is easy to learn and is the system used in most Western books and many numerology calculators. Life path number calculations (from date of birth) also use the Pythagorean reduction (adding digits until you get 1–9 or 11, 22, 33). For Indian names, Pythagorean can sometimes produce different results than Chaldean for the same spelling, so when comparing name number to birth number for name correction or lucky name selection, it is important to use one system consistently. The full Pythagorean chart is on our dedicated page.

Name Correction: When and Why

People consider name correction when their name number does not align with their birth number (Mulank) or when they face repeated obstacles in career, health, or relationships. Even a small spelling change—adding an “e”, doubling a letter, or using an alternate spelling that sounds the same—can change the name number. For example, “Rahul” and “Rahul” with one letter different in spelling can reduce to different numbers. A numerologist will calculate your current name number (usually in Chaldean for Indian names), compare it with your Mulank and Bhagyank, and suggest one or more corrected spellings that you can use on visiting cards, social media, and in daily life. Legal name change is optional and depends on your preference. The full process, benefits, and what to expect are explained in our name correction guide.

Understanding Name Numbers 1–9 (Quick Reference)

• 1: Leadership, independence, new beginnings. Strong for entrepreneurs and pioneers.
• 2: Cooperation, diplomacy, partnership. Good for teamwork and supportive roles.
• 3: Creativity, expression, communication. Suits arts, media, and teaching.
• 4: Stability, discipline, structure. Good for finance, construction, and systems.
• 5: Freedom, change, adaptability. Suits travel, sales, and dynamic fields.
• 6: Responsibility, care, harmony. Good for family, health, and service.
• 7: Analysis, wisdom, spirituality. Suits research, healing, and introspection.
• 8: Achievement, authority, material success. Strong for business and leadership.
• 9: Compassion, completion, universal appeal. Good for healing and humanitarian work.

Master numbers 11, 22, 33 are sometimes kept without reducing; they carry intense energy and are interpreted separately. For name correction, the aim is usually to align your name number with your birth number or with a number that supports your goals—so the “best” number is personal, not the same for everyone.

Another Worked Example: Name Correction Scenario

Suppose Arjun has birth number 6 (e.g. born on 6th, 15th, or 24th). In Chaldean: A=1, R=2, J=1, U=6, N=5 → 1+2+1+6+5 = 15 → 1+5 = 6. So “Arjun” already gives name number 6, which matches his Mulank—no correction needed for alignment.

If instead his name were spelled in a way that reduced to 5 or 8, and he was facing obstacles in stability or family (areas associated with 6), a numerologist might suggest a corrected spelling that still sounds like “Arjun” but reduces to 6. For instance, a different transliteration or an added letter might change the total. The name correction page explains how such options are generated and how to implement them in daily use.

Using This Guide: Links to All Name Numerology Topics

We have dedicated pages for every major topic under name numerology. Use them for deeper learning and for DIY calculation:

1. How to calculate name number – Step-by-step calculation for Chaldean and Pythagorean, with examples.
2. Chaldean numerology chart – Full Chaldean letter values and why it suits Indian names.
3. Pythagorean chart – Full Pythagorean letter values and usage.
4. Name correction – What name correction is, when to do it, and how it works.
5. Lucky name – Choosing a name that fits your birth number.
6. Baby name numerology – Naming a newborn by birth number and name number.
7. Business name numerology – Choosing a business or brand name by numerology.
8. Alphabet numerology – Letters, vowels, consonants, and their role in name number.

For a professional name analysis or name correction session, book a numerology consultation with CA Shikha—available in-person in Bangalore and online pan-India.