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What happens during a Naming Ceremony?

What happens during a Naming Ceremony?

How does a Naming Ceremony differ to a Christening?

How does a Naming Ceremony differ to a Christening?

Can I include Godparents in the Naming Ceremony?

Can I include Godparents in the Naming Ceremony?

What is the celebrant role in a Naming Ceremony?

What is the celebrant role in a Naming Ceremony?

How do you choose your Naming Ceremony congregation?

How do you choose your Naming Ceremony congregation?

Can we involve our other children in the Naming Ceremony?

Can we involve our other children in the Naming Ceremony?

Ideas for your Naming Ceremony

Ideas for your Naming Ceremony

What is an Adoption Ceremony?

What is an Adoption Ceremony?

Can I have a transgender Naming Ceremony or Renaming Ceremony?

Can I have a transgender Naming Ceremony or Renaming Ceremony?

When and where should naming ceremonies be held?

When and where should naming ceremonies be held?

Who is a Naming Ceremony for?

Who is a Naming Ceremony for?

What is a Naming Ceremony?

What is a Naming Ceremony?

How does a Naming Ceremony differ to a Christening?

How does a Naming Ceremony differ to a Christening? A Naming Ceremony will most often not be held in a church, and they also have the option to either include or omit religious content. Unlike a Christening, they also are not officiated by a priest or a member of the clergy.

A Christening tends to focus on the beginning of a journey of ‘faith’; this means, typically, it will require the family to belong to their local Church. It will involve religious symbolism and certain set procedures in line with the Church of England practices and ‘Godparents’ also must already be christened to qualify to become one.

Naming Ceremonies, on the other hand, are highly personalised and reflect the family and their wishes. They can also be held in any location so you have the freedom to decide where you’d like to celebrate. The focus of a Naming Ceremony is about the child and the hopes the parents have for their future. It is an opportunity to welcome them into the family and celebrate their arrival with loved ones.

Having a Naming Ceremony is a wonderful way to welcome your children into the family – whether they are newly born, step-children or an adopted child – in a setting that is comfortable to you.

Can we add religious content into a Naming Ceremony?

While a Naming Ceremony is secular in its origin,  it is entirely the personal choice of the parents as to whether any religious content, from any faith, is included at any point. This could include singing a hymn, reading a religious text or including a symbolic religious action (to name just a few!).

If you are choosing a Humanist Celebrant – who typically does not include religious content in their services – please discuss with them if you would like to include any religious or spiritual content.

Can we hold our Naming Ceremony in a church?

Even if you do not belong to a church or have a specific face, you may still want to conduct the Naming Ceremony in a church that is meaningful to your family.

Although it is not the norm for a Naming Ceremony to happen in a Church, often it will be down to the discretion of the Church in question; therefore it is worth getting in touch with them to ask whether they would be happy for you to hold the service in their facilities.

We want a Christening, yet don’t go to Church. Is a Naming Ceremony a good alternative?

If you want to celebrate the birth of your little one, or a child joining your family, however, you aren’t religious, then a Naming Ceremony is for you. If you use a Celebrant, you can still include bible readings and hymns. If you decide to have a Humanist Ceremony, these will typically be conducted without any religious content.

Having a Naming Ceremony is a great way to bring the family together, wish your little one all the best in their life, make commitments and promises to their future, and celebrate the joy that they bring in any setting of your choice.

Looking for inspiration on where to hold your Naming Ceremony? You can read our in-depth guide here.