Naming Ceremonies

One of the most important decisions you'll ever have to make for your new baby will be his or her name. As parents, we can spend hours agonising over choices and whether we follow family traditions. After all, whatever name you choose now will be attached to your child their whole life.

If you're not religious and don't want to have your baby Christened, then a naming ceremony is a really special way of celebrating the birth of your child and welcoming your new arrival into the family. It's a unique occasion for everyone to feel involved as they pledge their love and support for your child's future.

What happens at a naming ceremony?

Naming ceremonies can be as simple or as complex as you like, but usually contain the following:

An introduction and welcome
Readings
An explanation of the name(s) you have chosen for your child
Naming of the child (or children)
Promises by the parents of the child
Promises by grandparents
Promises by supporting adults
Your hopes for the child's future
Presentation of a gift to the child
Closing words

A ceremony will last up to 45 minutes, depending on how many readings you wish to include.

Did you know?

Traditionally, one tier of a 3-tier wedding cake was kept for the first baby's Christening.

Did you know?

While naming ceremonies aren't religious, the term 'Godparent' is still in common use.

When should a naming ceremony be held?

There's no right or wrong time to hold a naming ceremony, but there are a few things to consider:

Many parents like to hold the ceremony as soon as possible after the birth so that they can formally announce their new arrival to their family and friends. If you opt for this, don't forget to ask your family for help in organising any party - the birth of a baby (especially for first time parents) can be exhausting enough without organising social events too.
By the time the baby is 3 months old, you're beginning to understand his or her sleep patterns so you'll know when your child is liable to be awake and enjoy the extra attention if you want to organise it then.
If you're planning a wedding, then a naming ceremony can be held as part of the whole celebration, after your wedding ceremony.