Naming Ceremonies
Throughout time people have welcomed a child into a family and community through ceremony. Today, people often use cultural or religious ceremony to name their child, even when they are not part of a congregation or religious community. Sometimes their original faith will not agree to welcome their child in their place of worship.
A naming or welcoming ceremony organised with an independent celebrant provides the tradition and ceremony that we crave and
❤ It is open to married, unmarried, single, lesbian, gay, trans, step, adoptive parents/ carers
❤ The child may be new born, joining a new family, perhaps with a change or surname, or choosing a new name
❤ It can reflect any or no faith
❤ It has no prescribed format, so you can choose what it says about you as parent(s) and your child
❤ It can be held anywhere, your home, your community centre, outdoors
❤ You may want ‘godparents’ – or special aunties/ uncles or guide parents – whatever you wish to call them, but you don’t need to appoint anyone
Adult naming ceremonies
Of course a naming ceremony may be for:
❤ An adult who chooses to take a new name
❤ A couple wishing to take a shared surname
❤ Choosing a ‘magic name’
❤ Transgender folk wishing to formalise and celebrate their chosen name
❤ Wanting to shed or move on from an old name or image
❤ To celebrate a legal change of name
Cost
This will vary depending upon what you are planning - £100 - £325
Other costs
Travel costs - if the venue is over 20 mile from home charged at 45p per mile
Resources at cost
