Naming Ceremonies for Babies, Adoption and Adults

Celebrant | Brisbane Valley - Lockyer Valley

Naming Ceremony

Naming Ceremonies are becoming very popular today, because they offer an alternative way to welcome a new child into your family. The ceremony is a moving meaningful experience for all those involved, but is important to understand that this ceremony is not, recognized by the Church, as a baptism or christening. A
Name-Giving Ceremony is an alternative to religious ceremonies, and can serve to:

Welcome a child into the family and extended community
Announce the names chosen and to give reason for that selection
Make promises of commitment to nurture and support the child into adulthood
Help parents, Godparents, Guardians or Mentors, become more fully aware of their responsibilities
Formally announce the blending of children from two families
Welcome an adopted child into their new family and community
Allow an adult, to celebrate a rite of passage that is personal to them

Welcoming a new child into your life with a Name-giving Ceremony allows you to formally and publicly, share your joy and happiness at their arrival with family, friends and the community. To give a child a name, is an important part of receiving them into your life. Not to simply distinguish one child from another, but as the fruits of a loving process of care and reflection by the parents choosing that name.

adopting-belonging A Name-giving Ceremony is a time where you can thank Grandparents, Godparents/Mentors, close friends and others who will play an important role in the child’s life. They may also wish to express their own hopes and wishes for your child’s future. Some rituals or family traditions appropriate to your beliefs may be included in the ceremony. Usually children are named shortly after birth, but it is also common practice to have a Naming Ceremony at the celebration of their first birthday. Other children in the family can be named at the same time, if they were not given a similar ceremony when they were younger.

There is no set format for this ceremony, no legal content and no formal documentation, therefore, it can be as simple or as complex as you choose. I would be honoured to work with you in creating a naming ceremony for your child. Together we will develop a ceremony unique to you, reflecting your values, personalities, and your hopes and dreams for your child. The ceremony can involve as many people as you choose. We will start with a template, which can be built upon choosing poems, readings and even music appropriate for your child. You can be as creative as you like. The choice is yours.

Adult Naming Ceremony

Adults may choose to have a Naming Ceremony for varied reasons:

A same sex commitment ceremony may have been performed, and a person wants to take on the name of their partner.
A change or transition
No childhood naming ceremony
A change of name

Looking at the reason for the Naming Ceremony, we will work together to create a meaningful and memorable ceremony which will be special to you.