Naming Giving Ceremony
I am committed to providing you with a service of celebration and welcoming to you, your child, your extended family and friends. All of whom will be the community that will help to raise your child.
What is a naming ceremony?
It is a non-religious ceremony to welcome your child into your family, group of friends and community. Naming ceremonies have existed in virtually every culture and nation throughout time. Recognising a new life and publicly giving them a name is perhaps one of the most joyous celebrations we can have with our family and friends.
A couple with their two daughters, during their Name Giving Ceremony
It is entirely up to you when and where you hold a naming ceremony, they are not legally binding and do not have any legal status. The main reason for the ceremony is to allow you, the parents, to publicly affirm your love and commitment to your child in the presence of family and friends. To formally announce the name given to the child, to ask friends or relatives to also be a part of your child’s life, (the equivalent of godparents) who will actively be involved in supporting and mentoring your child.
During the ceremony you, as parents, can state your love and commitment to your child and declare hopes for their future. You can choose to read poetry or a favourite piece of prose, with music playing in the background. You can conduct the ceremony yourself or engage a Civil Celebrant to help you plan and conduct the ceremony.
Tips for Creating a Naming Ceremony that is Just Right for You and Your Baby
- Choose a venue, date and time
- Collate guest list
- Send out invitations (four weeks prior is usually a good time frame).
- Ask people to be your child’s Mentor, Guardian or Godparent.
- Decide on music, poetry and readings
- Make arrangements for food and drinks
1. Explain the name. Often names are rich with cultural and personal meaning. You may have chosen an ancestors or grandparents name or a name that has been carried down through many generations. You can explain how you came to arrive at the name for your baby, also the meaning and origin of their name.
2. Acknowledge your ancestors; great grandparents and grandparents, to highlight the continuity of the families that you child has been born into. Include a moment of quiet remembrance for those who have passed on.
Ask your baby’s grandparents or your grandparents to offer you some wisdom on raising a child.
3. Make “vows” to your child. You made vows at your wedding. Make vows to love, cherish, understand, guide and nurture your child. Share your hopes and dreams for your baby and how you view your role as a parent.
4. Select your child’s godparents or guide parents. Ask the people you have chosen to publicly declare they will help nurture you child. Ask if they would like to speak to the gather of your family and friends about their role as godparent or godparent.
5. Set up a “wish box” Take paper and pens with you, and ask your guests to write down something they would hope to do with, or teach your child as they grow.
6. Video Record. Instead of writing down their wishes, you could get them to say it on video and then play it to your child at different times in their life.
7. Set up a time capsule or treasure box, ask guests to bring something to put into this. It can be CD’s, newspapers, magazines, the Guinness Book of Records, coins, banknotes, leaves or anything else that is record of the day and year of their birth. You can then present this to your child on their 18th or 21st birthday.
8. Keep it short. The guest of honour has a short attention span. Keep the ceremony to about 20 to 25 minutes.
Keith, Cloe and Kobe during the Name Giving Ceremony.
If I Raised My Child Again.
If I had my child to raise all over again,
I’d finger paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.
I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I’d do more hugging and less tugging,
I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I’d teach less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love.
Diana Loomans
