About Naming Ceremonies

A Secular Explanation:

In recent times naming ceremonies have become popular as a non-religious (or non-denominational) equivalent of a christening where a young child, between 6 weeks and 2 years old,

is introduced to their family and social group in a meaningful way.

Like Baptisms or Christenings, you can have a Naming Ceremony at a formal venue, or at your house or at a neighborhood park.

Conducted by either by a trained celebrant or the parents themselves,

the ceremony allows the parents to publicly affirm their love and commitment to their child

in the presence of family and friends, formally announce the name given to the child, and to appoint “guide parents,” “supporting adults,” or “mentors” (the equivalent of godparents) who will morally and emotionally support the child during its life.

The choice of the given name is important and the naming ceremony serves to identify this new baby

as someone who exists as a unique individual—with a name that has meaning. Often, the meaning of the name is explained as part of the welcoming ceremony. There is usually a symbolic act during the ceremony that serves as the central moment of naming for the child. The symbolic act can be when all the guests welcome the child in unison, or the celebrant faces the guests and declares the naming and the crowd applauds, or the parents and siblings can hold the child in turn and make promises to the child. Specific phrases include: “We welcome _____________ to the world,” or “This child is named ____________ and may we look after him as friends and family.”

The ceremony will often include promises made to the child by the family, supporting adults and the attendees.

Poems may be read, music played. The family uses cultural traditions that are meaningful to them, and elements of all belief systems are welcomed.

A Native American Explanation:

Based on the Native American tradition of naming a child, the Naming Ceremony is a welcoming of the soul to the physical world, by the family and community. It is an honoring of that soul and an acknowledgement of the courage it takes to walk the journey of life in the physical. It is an honoring of the name that the soul has chosen as part of its identity. It is about welcoming the child into the family and community.

These ceremonies give the child a sense of safety and belonging, honor and respect. The most important aspects of the ceremony are love, intention, meaning and sacredness.

The ceremony is held in a circle representing the circle of life, continuity, wholeness and oneness and reflecting the fact that everything in life happens in cycles and circles.

The child is blessed and anointed with the four elements of life: earth, air, fire and water.

We sing songs and play rattles. Rattles were originally used for soul retrieval, which is perhaps why it is one of the first gifts we give to our babies.

After the ceremony people are invited to write in the child’s “Book of Days” which is a very special book that will be with them all their days and capture all the special occasions and Rites of Passage throughout their life.

The Naming Ceremony is a beautiful, meaningful experience and an awesome opportunity for creativity, unity and a celebration of the miracle of life!

In various religious traditions, wine, pipe smoke or some kind of mild inebriation at the end of a ceremony “seals the deal.”

And in various religious traditions, some sweet food is eaten, as a celebration of the sweetness of life.

Blessing (Zuri Indian poem)

Our child
Now this is the day.
Our child,
Into the daylight
You will go out standing.
Preparing for your day.