Fortune-telling by names as one of the stages of naming rite in modern Japan

The article considers the phenomenon of joining traditional naming rite with a relatively new custom of fortune-telling by names called seimei handan. Fortune-telling by names has actually become one of the stages of naming rite, which takes place between the 1st and the 6th days after a child's birth. The custom has gained its popularity due to an idea of name as a magic text, identical to a person and determining his or her fate, and due to general attitude towards occult practices in the society. Principal methods of fortune-telling are examined.