Naming Ceremony

Welcome to the world

A Naming Ceremony is a non-religious “welcome to the world” for a new born child or a child who has been adopted or blended into a family. It is a way to declare to your family, friends and community that you are making promises as a parent and that you are also asking for their support and involvement in the life of the child.

A naming ceremony ensures that the child is part of something greater, and places him or her under the protection of those present. This is similar to the Christian concept of godparents. When you choose your child’s guardians, explain that this is not the same as becoming a legal guardian; it is however a symbolic and important position.

The naming ceremony can be conducted at any age, with the most popular time being the child's first birthday. Often other children in the family who have not had such a ceremony will be included and named at the same time. There are no limits to who can be named in a naming ceremony and it is not unusual to hold such a ceremony for an adult.