Naming Ceremonies
"Finding a good name for a child is no less than looking for a pearl in the ocean" (Bette Midler)
With the arrival of a baby, a new life begins for parents. It is full of happiness and a few hardships but no matter what, every baby is special for their parents, and parents always dream of the best life for their babies.
This dream starts from the time of your baby’s birth. The naming ceremony is also part of that dream.
A naming ceremony is an important occasion in your lives as parents. You will naturally want to celebrate this happy occasion with friends and family. Friends and family too love to be a part of this great happiness.
Your child’s naming ceremony can have a religious or spiritual element, or none whatsoever, or a blend of each – it’s your choice.
Naming ceremonies may not necessarily focus on a new-born babe.
They are becoming increasingly popular for welcoming newly adopted children or stepchildren, as two families come together.
They are also very special for people who have had a trans experience and are seeking name affirmation, offering a person a life moment, for reflection of their life so far and who they have become.
Can you include Godparents in the Naming Ceremony? Absolutely! You can appoint Godparents/ Guideparents/ Supporting adults/Mentors to your little one and they will be asked to make commitments during the ceremony.
Promises may be made by Godparents/Guideparents, but also can be made by the parents, or even other members of your family. Those involved can either answer questions asked by the celebrant during the ceremony, or they can prepare their own vows.
It's great if the people involved are happy to write their own promises or meaningful readings. In this way, the ceremony becomes even more personal to them.
You could choose for them to do a reading, say a passage that is important to you, sing a song or simply be there and reply to your celebrant when called upon to make commitments during the ceremony.
You will be surrounding your child with more loving role models to nurture them and have a positive impact on their life; there is no greater gift.