What is a naming ceremony?
Welcoming a new life into the world is one of the most beautiful milestones in a family’s journey. While many are familiar with traditional christenings, there’s a growing trend that offers a more personal, flexible, and inclusive alternative: the naming ceremony. This modern, non-religious celebration is gaining popularity across the globe, and for good reason.
A naming ceremony is a meaningful and joyful event where parents, family, and friends gather to welcome a new child into their lives and community officially. Or celebrate a rebirth, the beginning of a new chapter in someone's life. It’s a time to celebrate, announce their name, and share hopes and dreams for their future. Unlike religious christenings, naming ceremonies are secular, allowing families of all beliefs, or none at all, to come together in a way that feels right for them.
Here’s why more and more parents are choosing a naming ceremony over a traditional christening:
Christenings are religious ceremonies rooted in Christianity, often performed in a church by a priest. For families who are non-religious or have diverse spiritual beliefs, this may not feel relevant or comfortable. Naming ceremonies, on the other hand, are inclusive and adaptable, free from dogma and doctrine.
A naming ceremony can be crafted entirely around your family’s values, culture, and style. You can include poems, readings, music, symbolic rituals (like tree planting or sand blending), and personal promises to your child. No two ceremonies need to be the same.
These ceremonies are ideal for multi-faith, blended, or LGBTQ+ families, allowing everyone to feel included and represented. You’re not confined to religious language or expectations, you’re creating a ceremony that’s true to your family’s identity.
A naming ceremony for a trans person is a deeply affirming and empowering celebration of identity, growth, and self-discovery. It marks the moment a person publicly embraces their true name, a name that reflects who they authentically are. Whether held privately among close friends or as a larger gathering of chosen family and community, the ceremony acknowledges the courage it takes to live openly and honestly.As your celebrant I will guide you through the planning and the process so you truly have the naming ceremony you want
It’s an opportunity to honour the individual’s journey, express love and support, and recognise the significance of their chosen name in shaping the next chapter of their life. These ceremonies can be especially powerful for people who have faced misunderstanding or marginalisation, offering a moment of joyful validation and heartfelt welcome.
Naming ceremonies aren't just for newborns. They can be held for older children, adopted children, or stepchildren. Any time a new family bond is being formed, a naming ceremony is a powerful way to honour that connection.
What’s Included in a Naming Ceremony?
A typical naming ceremony can include:
An introduction and welcome to guests
The story of the persons name and its significance
Readings or poems from family and friends
Appointing guideparents/mentors (non-religious equivalent of godparents)
Parental promises or vows to the person
Symbolic elements (e.g., lighting candles, planting a tree, creating a memory box)
A certificate to mark the occasion
Every element is optional and customisable, allowing the ceremony to be as formal or as relaxed as you like.
The Role of a Celebrant
At the heart of a beautiful naming ceremony is a skilled celebrant.
As celebrants, we are trained professional who works with families to design and deliver a personalised ceremony. I get to know you, your child, and your story, helping you shape a script that reflects your values and emotions. On the day, I act as a warm, confident host, guiding the event with grace and warmth.
As a good celebrant, I bring Structure, helping everything flow smoothly. Creativity, offering ideas and rituals that make the day unique. Experience, knowing how to balance joy, humour, sentiment, and meaning. Calm presence, keeping things relaxed so you can enjoy every moment
Without the constraints of religious requirements, I will ensure your ceremony feels sincere, memorable, and full of love. A naming ceremony is more than just a formal event—it’s a heartfelt celebration of new life, identity, and community. For families who want a meaningful, flexible, and inclusive alternative to a christening, it’s the perfect choice.
With the support of a compassionate celebrant, you can create a day that celebrates your child in a way that feels authentic, joyful, and truly yours. So if this sounds like the type of ceremony you want, drop me a line and let me be the beginning of your happy ever after.