What is a Naming Ceremony?
The Naming Ceremony can be the basis of a very special family gathering.
Naming Ceremonies give families choice – it is a very special way of celebrating the birth of your child and welcoming them into the community of family and friends. It is also ideally suited to welcome an adoptive child or to embrace stepchildren into a new family.
It is an opportunity to declare before family and friends, your promises to be as good a parent as you can, and for your adult friends and relatives to confirm their special relationship with your child.
The child or children can be any age. A Naming Ceremony is a unique occasion for everyone to feel involved as they pledge their love and support for your child’s future development.
Read what Dr Phil says about Establishing Meaningful Rituals and Traditions under Factor 3 in 'The Five Factors for a Phenomenal Family'.
What does a ceremony contain?
Most Naming Ceremonies have common sections and there are optional sections that you can incorporate according to your preferences
Common Sections
Welcome and Introduction
Readings
Naming of the Baby/Child/Children
Appointment of supporting adults e.g. 'godparent'
Welcoming of Child to their community of family and friends
Closing words and Signing of Certificate
Some Optional Sections..........
Parent promises or vows
'Godparent' personal qualities acknowledged
Grandparent’s role acknowledged
Reasons for/meaning of the Name
Lighting of Naming Candles/Planting of a tree
Presentation of gift to child
Your Unique Ceremony
Every Naming Ceremony conducted by Vanessa is unique and offers the flexibility to meet the individual needs and wishes of the family. Ceremonies conducted by Vanessa are specially created using the family’s own selection of words, readings, chosen rituals or traditions. There are many ways to make your child’s Naming Ceremony a very personal, meaningful and unique event for everyone involved.
Ways to personalise your Naming Ceremony
Making your own personal parent vows or promises
Your thoughts on being parents to this wonderful baby/child
Include Grandparents in the ceremony
Announce the commitments to be undertaken by other supporting adults
Presentation of a special gift that has significance to your child
Having ‘blessings’ read out that each guest has written themselves
Including culturally significant rituals
Why not contact Vanessa and create a really special celebration……….
Dear Vanessa,
Thank you again for the wonderful ceremony for Billie's Naming Day. We were so impressed by how personal you made it for us and you made such an effort to be friendly and talk to almost every one of our guests (+ remember their names too!)
I especially loved how you knelt down and spoke directly to Billie during the ceremony - it really was very special.
Thanks again Vanessa - everyone commented on how lovely and heartfelt the ceremony was.
Alison (Billie's mum, Naming ceremony 2nd September 2006)
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Hi Vanessa
Thank you for performing a wonderful ceremony for Hugo on 4 March. Mark and I were thrilled with it all and you engaged everyone and managed to make it light and casual as we hoped it would be, so thank you! .
Cheers
Kellie & Mark (Hugo's parents, Naming Ceremony 4th March 2007)
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Dear Vanessa,
Many thanks again for officiating at Harry's naming ceremony.
James and Sara (Harry's parents, Naming ceremony 25th November 2007)
