What Is a Naming Ceremony?

More and more families are choosing a naming ceremony to welcome a new arrival. It’s a warm, personal celebration that brings together the people who will love and support your child as they grow — and it can look however you want it to.

What is a naming ceremony?

A naming ceremony is a celebration to formally welcome a child and share the story of their name. Parents make promises to their child, and chosen adults — often called guideparents or supporting adults — promise to be there for them too. There might be readings, wishes from family, and a ritual such as planting a tree or lighting a candle.

It’s often described as a non-religious alternative to a christening, but it can include faith or cultural traditions if they matter to your family.

Is a naming ceremony a legal requirement?

No. A naming ceremony has no legal status. In England and Wales, you register your child’s birth (and their name) separately — normally within 42 days of the birth. The ceremony is purely a celebration, so there are no rules about where, when or how.

Naming ceremony vs christening

• A christening (or baptism) is a religious ceremony welcoming a child into a faith, usually in a church, led by a minister, with godparents making religious promises.
• A naming ceremony welcomes a child into their family and community. It can be held anywhere, led by a celebrant, with guideparents or supporting adults making promises about love and support.

Who is a naming ceremony for?

Babies, most often — but not only. Naming ceremonies are also lovely for:

• toddlers and older children
• adopted children joining a family
• stepchildren, as part of a blended family coming together
• a child whose family simply wants to celebrate them

Choosing guideparents

Guideparents (also called supporting adults, mentors or life guides) are the people you’d like to be a special presence in your child’s life. There’s no limit on how many — two to four is common — and they don’t need to be family. Think about who will genuinely be there over the years, who shares your values, and who your child will be able to talk to when they need someone who isn’t mum or dad.

What happens in a naming ceremony?

A typical ceremony lasts 20 to 30 minutes and might include:

1. A welcome from your celebrant
2. Your child’s story — their arrival, their personality so far, and your hopes for them
3. The meaning of their name and why you chose it
4. A reading by a grandparent, aunt, uncle or friend
5. Promises from parents
6. Promises from guideparents
7. A ritual (see below)
8. The naming — your celebrant formally announces your child’s full name
9. Wishes and closing words

Naming ceremony ritual ideas

• Tree planting — a tree that grows with your child
• Candle lighting — each guideparent lights a candle from the parents’ candle
• Sand ceremony — each family member adds a colour to a jar for the child’s bedroom
• Wishing tree or wish cards — guests write wishes to be read on a future birthday
• Time capsule — letters, photos and newspapers from the year they were born, to open when they’re 18
• Handprint or footprint — a keepsake made during the ceremony

Where to hold a naming ceremony

Anywhere you like: your home or garden, a village hall, a function room at a pub or hotel, a park (with permission), or a relative’s house. Many families pair the ceremony with a first birthday party so everyone’s already together.

When to have a naming ceremony

There’s no right age. Many families hold one when their baby is between three months and a year old, when everyone has settled into a routine, but it can be any time.