Naming Ceremonies

Our Naming Ceremonies are specifically not religious, but speak of Love, Family and the Child. They are perfect for Families who are not aligned with any particular religion or faith group.

A Naming Ceremony is not just for babies; children of any age can have a Naming Ceremony. One of our experienced Celebrants, (Lay Officiant, Minister or Chaplain), will be pleased to perform your Naming Ceremony for your son or daughter. All of our Celebrants are highly trained and qualified; they all share the goal of providing you with a memorable ceremony and special day.

Most Naming Ceremonies are held in homes or other suitable venue like a hotel, reception facility, etc. Some families even hold the ceremony in a park or other natural setting. The ceremony can be held at a location and time convenient to all concerned. We usually ask the Celebrant closest to you to conduct the ceremony.

You may wish to include your older children in the Naming Ceremony as well as your new baby. The Ceremony is the perfect opportunity to declare your promises to your child before family and friends. It's also the perfect opportunity to involve relatives, such as grandparents, and maybe other adult friends. It is nice to have supporting adults involved, allowing them to confirm their special relationship with your child and share their promises at the ceremony in front of you and the guests.

A family has several options:

1. They can choose a Naming ceremony from below and simply use the ceremony as is.
2. They can choose a ceremony and then personalize the ceremony to make it uniquely theirs. We have a number of Religious or Secular (Non-Religious) Readings that you may choose from, or provide one of your own.
3. Some families even write their own Baptism or Naming Ceremony; the choice is yours.

No matter which option you choose, we will help you find the right ceremony to create the perfect celebration your family and friends will cherish and remember always.

Sample Ceremonies

A Shorter Ceremony

Friends, We meet here to take part together in a simple ceremony. We do so for a number of reasons.

Firstly, [DAD] and [MOM] wish to express their joy to you on the birth of [CHILD]. They are pleased that [CHILD] has arrived safely in this world. They want to welcome him into their family unit, to the wider family of their relatives, and to the community of their friends and the world.

They wish you all to share this joy. It is certain that the more love this child receives the more he will benefit in his life and the more love in turn he will be able to give to others. The more people to whom this child relates the more balanced and rich his growth will be.

So your presence at this celebration today is appreciated, as will be your interest and involvement in the years ahead.

First Reading

The first quotation I would like to read involves us all. As a community of friends and family we all share a responsibility to provide the atmosphere in which young [CHILD] will develop as a person. It is called:

A CHILD LEARNS WHAT HE LIVES
If a child lives with criticism
he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility
he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule
he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame
he learns to feel guilt.

BUT,
If a child lives with tolerance
he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement
he learns confidence.
If a child lives with fairness
he learns justice.
If a child lives with security
he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval
he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship
he learns to find love in the world.

Second Reading

This celebration also is an occasion when [DAD] and [MOM] want to make themselves aware of their proper role as parents. This, they feel, is expressed well in the words of the prophet, Kahlil Gibran.

And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, speak to us of Children.
And he said:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters
of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you.
And though they are with you
yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love
but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts,
You may house their bodies
but not their souls
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit
not even in your dreams
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you
For life goes not backward
nor tarries with yesterday
You are simply the bows from which your children
as living arrows
are sent forth.

Grandparents (optional - edit as required)

It is not always possible for grandparents to involve themselves in the development of their grandchildren - but when they do it is a great bonus and blessing. The important role played by grandparents is the passing on of cultural values to children.

They assist children find their identity and their inner security - and to integrate themselves into society. The special relationship of trust and mutual enjoyment which develops between child and grandparent is something very special. Through this relationship children learn their lineage, their history - and many values and skills.

This cultural inheritance lays the foundation for the young person to construct their personality during childhood and adolescence and adds great meaning to their existence. For this reason [DAD] and [MOM] wish to recognise and express their gratification that [GRANDFATHER1] and [GRANDMOTHER1], as well as [GRANDFATHER2] and [GRANDMOTHER2] are here today.

Godparents

The next special and unique step in this ceremony involves the godparents. In this age of the nuclear family when many of us live isolated from our family and friends godparents have perhaps a more important role today than they have had in the past.

They undertake a special and lifelong interest in the welfare of their godchild and to assume a more than ordinary responsibility in the event of the death or default of the parents. So, I now ask the godparents, are you, [NAME] and [NAME], willing to accept this serious charge?

Godparents: We are.

The Naming

[CHILD] you are named with water as a symbol of the common life which is in you and in the world about you. We welcome you to the community of life on earth and dedicate you to everything which is beautiful and truthful and good.

Alternate (and If printed otherwise just the officiant)
Naming I will now ask everyone to say together with me:-
We all agree to call you [CHILD]
We therefore name you [CHILD]
We wish you long life and happiness
In a loving and peaceful world.
May you bring joy to your parents,
your godparents, your grandparents
To each of us, your family and friends.

Final Declaration

This ceremony will in no way inhibit [CHILD] from seeking the truth during his life and any future religious or non religious commitments of belief. In fact, it is our duty to present him in the coming years with a broad and balanced view of life, and encourage him in the virtues we all agree as good - integrity, honesty, concern, fairness and love toward his fellow human beings.

[CHILD], may life's richest joys and blessings be yours. May you grow in health of body and mind to full adulthood and may it be your good fortune to play some worthy part in making life more pleasant for those whose paths you cross.

I NOW PRESENT - [CHILD]! (May also use full name)

The presentation of the Naming Certificate

On behalf of [DAD] and [MOM] I would like to thank you all for taking part in this ceremony. Please enjoy the rest of the day.

You may choose from one of the ceremonies listed here, or you may craft your own ceremony. We offer the following completed ceremonies:

• Our Traditional Ceremony
• A Shorter Ceremony
• Naming and Baptism Ceremony

All of our ceremonies may be modified to your requirements. We also provide a collection of Religious Readings or Non-Religious Readings which may be incorporated into any of our ceremonies.

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More information about our Naming Ceremonies.

Can the ceremony be bilingual?

Yes in some communities. Ask the office for information.

Is a meeting or rehearsal necessary?

Not normally. However you may consult with your celebrant by phone and email if you have questions for clarification.

How long is the ceremony?

The length of ceremonies varies. Budget anywhere from 15 minutes to a half an hour depending on the number of options and changes you make to the ceremony.

What does the Celebrant need from you on the day of the celebration?

If you make changes to a ceremony they will need the final draft of the ceremony 14 days prior. Then just a few words with you before to the ceremony to go over last minute details and a small bowl of water for the ceremony.

Can I decorate my home?

Yes. Most people have candles, flowers, and a small container of water. Some place memorial pictures or special pictures of baby. Have a camera handy!

Is there a Souvenir Record of the event?

Yes, a beautiful souvenir Certificate is presented at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Do these Ceremonies have legal status?

Unlike birth registration, where you receive a copy of the birth certificate which is a compulsory legal requirement, these ceremonies are simply a celebration that you as parents choose to do as a public gesture of love and commitment to your child. The certificate you receive may in some cases help your child enroll in certain schools later in life.

I have two children, do I pay an additional fee?

There is an additional administration fee of $20.00 for each additional child. Each receives a ceremony certificate.

Can we organize a Ceremony on short notice?

Usually the answer to this is yes, but is dependent on the availability of the Celebrant and venue you have selected.

Can we hold a Ceremony at the same time as we get married?

Yes. A Naming Ceremony can be held at the same time.

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