Naming Ceremonies
Often we are asked where did that name come from, or how did you get that name, and just as often we don’t know but usually it’s because our parents thought it was a great name or they wanted to continue the family tradition.
Years ago it was traditional for a child to be Christened in a Church and a formal name was awarded to that child in a public way, this service was usually attended by family and close friends and also served the purpose of celebrating that child’s arrival into the family. Today many people don’t attend churches as they once did and so another way of celebrating this event is to have a Naming Ceremony for the child, usually at the home of the parents.
A naming ceremony honours a child and affirms the special place they have in our lives. A naming ceremony provides the opportunity to celebrate the arrival of a child and officially welcome them in to the loving bonds of their community of family and friends, as well as to formally bestow their name.
Other aspects of a naming ceremony may be to honour Grandparents and family members and to appoint Mentors/Guardians. These people pledge to take a special interest in the child's development and to support the parents. They can also be there in the future, as a refuge for the child outside the immediate family circle.
There is also the opportunity for family members and friends to be 'honoured' by their inclusion in the ceremony by reading a poem or special verse.
Incorporated in the ceremony, is often the story of the child’s life to date and your hopes and dreams for their future. It can also incorporate any special family or cultural traditions.
Often there is some form of symbolic activity, be it planting a tree, lighting a candle, releasing balloons or blowing bubbles.
A certificate prepared by the parents and the celebrant is available to give to the child as an acknowledgment of the ceremony.
It is important that a child knows how its name was chosen and that their arrival into the family was welcomed by its extended family and close family friends.
Food, fun and laughter invariably follow the ceremony.
Years ago it was traditional for a child to be Christened in a Church and a formal name was awarded to that child in a public way, this service was usually attended by family and close friends and also served the purpose of celebrating that child’s arrival into the family. Today many people don’t attend churches as they once did and so another way of celebrating this event is to have a Naming Ceremony for the child, usually at the home of the parents.
A naming ceremony honours a child and affirms the special place they have in our lives. A naming ceremony provides the opportunity to celebrate the arrival of a child and officially welcome them in to the loving bonds of their community of family and friends, as well as to formally bestow their name.
Other aspects of a naming ceremony may be to honour Grandparents and family members and to appoint Mentors/Guardians. These people pledge to take a special interest in the child's development and to support the parents. They can also be there in the future, as a refuge for the child outside the immediate family circle.
There is also the opportunity for family members and friends to be 'honoured' by their inclusion in the ceremony by reading a poem or special verse.
Incorporated in the ceremony, is often the story of the child’s life to date and your hopes and dreams for their future. It can also incorporate any special family or cultural traditions.
Often there is some form of symbolic activity, be it planting a tree, lighting a candle, releasing balloons or blowing bubbles.
A certificate prepared by the parents and the celebrant is available to give to the child as an acknowledgment of the ceremony.
It is important that a child knows how its name was chosen and that their arrival into the family was welcomed by its extended family and close family friends.
Food, fun and laughter invariably follow the ceremony.