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Explanation of Sample Naming Steps
The following steps might be included in the Naming Ceremony. Parents might add, change or omit as desired.
A Basic Ceremony usually takes up to 30 minutes depending on readings and options included.
Welcome/Introduction
This is to welcome everyone to the gathering and explain the purpose of the Ceremony. For instance:
“Friends and family of (baby). You have been invited to take part in a ceremony to welcome this child into the family unit and into the circle of their relatives and friends.
The birth of a baby is a joyous occasion and in welcoming and naming a child, we celebrate one of life’s continuing miracles: the birth of a human being.
The responsibility of a child’s life and happiness is not only the concern of his/her parents but also of this gathering and the community.
Just as you have been invited to share the parents happiness and joy so too are you being asked to share their responsibility as the more love this child receives, the more he/she will have to offer others. The more people in his/her world, the richer his/her world will be.”
Reading(s)
Appropriate poems or readings, the first being near the start of the ceremony, set the scene for the ceremony and can be read by the Celebrant, Family Member or Guest.
You can select further readings for later in the ceremony as well.
The Naming
The Celebrant asks you to confirm the full name you’ve given to your Child.
This part of the ceremony can include the reasons why the Child’s name was chosen and pledges from parents and others involved in the ceremony including other children who might want to make a special vow to their sibling.
Parents Vows and Pledges in Naming Ceremony
This is the part of the ceremony where you promise in words of your choosing, to be as good a Parent as you can be.
Parents will verify their commitment to their child in the form of a promise/s, poem, verse or blessing. Older siblings might also give a pledge.
You can also take the opportunity to make promises of commitment to your Partner.
Supporting Godparents in Naming Ceremony
In this section, chosen Godparents will make declarations of love and on-going support to your child, pledging a lifelong interest in the moral and ethical development of the child. They will be asked to accept the role of mentor to the child and to be someone he or she can turn to for loving support and guidance as the baby grows.
Grandparents Role in Naming Ceremony
Grandparents may make promises in the form of the love, support and guidance, patience and understanding they wish to give the child as his or her life unfolds.
Supporting Family, Friends and Mentors Role in Naming Ceremony.
You can choose as many Family, Friends and Mentors to be your child’s supporting adults as you feel appropriate.
Candle Ritual and Blessing
Together parents might light a candle for the baby as the celebrant pronounces
“Let us all join together in a blessing for (baby.)
For health, love and life let us all be thankful
For friends, family, homes and loved-ones, let us be thankful
For the beauty of this world, let us be thankful
(Baby), we officially welcome you to our world.
We wish you a life of love and happiness in a peaceful world.
Let the lighting of this candle be an affirmation of this promise.
Let the lighting of the candle be symbolic of light and live.”
Exchange of Tokens
Gifts and tokens of the ceremony might be given to the child or the child’s parents/family.
Closing Words & Presentation of Certificate
The Celebrant closes the ceremony with phrases of your choosing.
Here the parents might be congratulated on the birth of their baby and the Mentors/God Parents on their willingness to share with them, care and support for the welfare of (baby). A Naming Ceremony offers a sense of tradition, of occasion and of offering oaths and reassurances towards the care for baby/child.
Parents are presented with a special Commemorative Certificate, which is signed by the Celebrant and those who have taken part in the Ceremony.
