Baby Naming Ceremony. My Sydney Celebrant. Civil and marriage celebrant servicing Sydney & the South Coast.
A baby naming ceremony is a distinctive way of celebrating the birth of your baby and welcoming the new arrival into your circle of family and friends.
As an alternative to a religious christening or baptism, baby naming ceremonies are a fantastic opportunity - before family and friends - to promise your child you’ll be the best parents you could possibly be.
The ceremony is a chance to remind all concerned of the great responsibility involved in bringing up a child, and to recognise and appoint those who will have an important role in your child's development. During the ceremony parents are reminded and made more fully aware of their responsibilities, as are the godparents (also called 'mentors' or' guardians') and grandparents.
The naming celebration of your child is a unique and special occasion for everyone to feel involved and to offer their love and support for your child's future.
Although all of our ceremonies are uniquely personalised for your child, the running of a Naming Ceremony has six essential components:
- Introduction by the Celebrant
- Readings/Poems
- Naming of the Child
- Promises of the Parent(s)
- Promises of the Guardian(s)
- Closing Words
Your child’s Naming Ceremony can include any number of additional components, and is limited only by imagination. Some examples are listed below:
- Reasons for the choice of name
- Acknowledgement/thanks to Grandparents
- Acknowledgement of Absent Relatives and Friends
- Promises of Brothers and Sisters
- Plant a tree
- Light a ceremonial candle
- Release balloons/butterflies (additional cost)
- Seal a time capsule
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Naming Ceremonies have any legal status?
No. The ceremonies are purely ceremonial and are simply something that you, as parents, choose to do as a public gesture of love and commitment to your child.
Do Naming Ceremonies have any religious content?
No, although if this is important to you or someone in your family, you might consider reading or having someone read an appropriate bible verse.
Where are the ceremonies held?
The ceremony can be held almost anywhere – at your house, in your favourite park, at a hired venue or even at the beach! You can have a ceremony anywhere where you can fit the number of people you want to invite and where you have adequate facilities to cater in the way you intend.
How long does the ceremony last?
This will depend on the number of elements you wish to include. However, we recommend you allow about 30 minutes. An important thing to ensure is that the ceremony does not take too long, as there are usually a number of children guests attending.
What is the best time/age for my child to have a naming ceremony?
At a young age, children can have very particular sleeping patterns. You may well have noticed by now that your child is at their happiest in the morning, or the early afternoon. You should keep this in mind when choosing a time for the ceremony. Often, naming ceremonies are held for children in excess of around 9 months of age, who have more predictable happy awake times.
What is the role played by the child’s Guardian?
Supporting adults that function as ‘Godparents’ or ‘Guardians’ play an important role in the ceremony. They usually hold the baby and make promises to support and take an interest in the child's future. Like traditional Godparents, you should select close friends or relatives whom you want to play an influential role in your child's life. They can be repeated as statements led by the celebrant or the celebrant can pose ceremonial questions to the guests.
What is appropriate choice for a poem or reading?
Popular children’s song lyrics and favourite poems are common for such an occasion. You may also choose an excerpt from your child’s favourite bedtime story or ask one of the adults or children involved in the ceremony to write a special poem for the occasion. Feel free to select from content that you feel is important to your family.
What else can we do to commemorate the day?
Bring a scrap book or guest book and when guests arrive, ask them to write a message for the child. The message should be one of hope and promises for the child. When the child is older, he or she can read the messages.
Who should be invited to the naming ceremony?
Like Baptisms and Christenings, the guest list will depend on the type of event you want to throw for your child. You can have a smaller event with just family and close friends, or you can invite the whole neighbourhood and turn it into a large party. A good idea is to invite friends and family who you have a high regard for and that you think can play a strong and positive role in your child's life.
