Naming Baby
A naming ceremony is a lovely way of celebrating the birth of a new baby – a unique occasion to share with family and friends. Naming ceremonies can also be used to celebrate adoptive children and step children becoming part of a new family.
The event is a dignified and formal way to:
- • Welcome the child into the family unit.
- • Announce the names that have been chosen for the child (and possibly the reasons behind the choice of names).
- • Make promises and commitments to nurture and support the child through to its adult life.
- • Choose other adults and family members who are prepared to promise a special supportive relationship to the child.
The Ceremony
Each naming ceremony is unique and specially written to be a day to remember. Any parent can arrange a naming ceremony, whether they are married or not, and irrespective of spiritual, religious or cultural backgrounds.
Parents will be able to choose promises to make to the child, as well as promises to make to each other. Supporting adults and other members of the family will also be able to make promises to the child. Parents can choose from a selection of poems and readings to personalise their ceremony and can choose to present their child with a special gift to mark the occasion.
A souvenir certificate of the ceremony will be signed and presented during the ceremony.
It should be noted however that neither the naming ceremony nor any documents issued as part of the proceedings have any legal status.
Ceremonies can be held at any suitable venue. The venue does not have to be licenced in any way, nor does it have to be local. Many parents have a hotel in mind, a village hall or favourite restaurant.