Japna

Japna is a Punjabi verb meaning to chant, recite, or remember. In everyday usage, it is most commonly encountered in the phrase Naam Japna, meaning remembrance of God's name.

Within Sikhism, Japna refers to the practice of meditating on the divine and repeating the Naam. It is considered one of the core spiritual duties, along with Kirat Karni and Vand Chhakna. The Gurbani emphasizes constant remembrance of God as a path to spiritual concentration and ethical living. Practitioners may engage in Japna through silent repetition, recitation of Gurbani, or singing hymns, often using the name Waheguru.

Japna also functions as a personal name in Punjabi-speaking communities. It may be used for both genders and is found among people in Punjab, India and Pakistan, as well as in the global Sikh diaspora in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and elsewhere.

Because Japna can denote both a religious practice and a name, its interpretation depends on context.