Naming Ceremonies
A naming ceremony is a way of celebrating and welcoming a new addition to your family. It focuses on the child – or children – being named and the friends and family that surround them.
People choose to have a naming ceremony because they want to bring family and friends together to celebrate one of life’s key milestones. They are ideal for families who want to mark the occasion in a way that isn’t religious.
A naming ceremony also provides the opportunity for those gathered to reflect the roles that key people will play in the life of the child.
Who are naming ceremonies for?
Naming ceremonies are perfect for newborns or toddlers, and many are combined with a first birthday celebration. But they don’t have to be limited to young children. They can be held whenever you’re ready: there’s no rush!
For older children they can be seen or used as a rite of passage or a celebration of your child’s growing maturity. They can also be the perfect way to welcome adopted children or step-children of any age into a family.
I can also conduct many ‘joint’ naming ceremonies for siblings. Sometimes families choose to combine wedding and naming ceremonies, which can be a wonderful option for couples who choose to marry after their children have been born, or where marriage represents the coming together of two families.
Naming ceremonies can be held wherever you want: at home, in the park, the garden, or your local village hall. They are becoming increasingly popular in a range of settings.
What happens at a naming ceremony?
Each naming ceremony is unique. They might include music, singing, poems, readings, parental promises to their child, the appointment of ‘guideparents’, and perhaps a symbolic action such as planting a tree, signing a certificate, or writing in a wish book.