If you are not religious and your child is not being christened, there’s another event you should consider: a naming ceremony. Growing in popularity, a naming ceremony is often held before a child’s first birthday. The ceremony is conducted by a celebrant at a location of your choosing and is attended by family and friends of your choosing. A reception usually happens afterwards which marks the end of this informal celebration.

In this article, we look into the reasons why you should consider hosting a baby naming ceremony for your child.

5 Reasons to Choose a Baby Naming Ceremony

First thing, let us clear something up. A naming ceremony can occur at any age and is not exclusive to babies. It’s usually referred to with the word baby because it is true that most naming ceremonies are conducted for babies. However, a naming ceremony can be held for a child (or adult) of any age. Here are five reasons to consider holding a naming ceremony:

  1. Public commitment to each other and their child - parents want to demonstrate their continuing love for each other, plus for their new baby.
  2. Adoption of an older child - a naming ceremony can help celebrate the formal adoption of an older child.
  3. A second celebration - sometimes family and friends are unable to attend the formal christening. So, parents hold a baby naming ceremony at a later date for those guests who missed out.
  4. Formal announcement of their child - some parents want to make a formal announcement regarding the chosen name for their baby.
  5. In conjunction with the first birthday - so much happens during the first year of a baby’s life, so it makes sense to delay some things for a while. A baby naming ceremony can take place at the same time as the first birthday celebrations.

Usually officiated by a celebrant, the ceremony takes place at the parent’s choice of location and contains events or activities chosen by them. From stories to songs, poems to announcing Godparents, it is an occasion memorable for all the right reasons: it is all about the celebration of the arrival of your new child!

We recommend choosing a baby-naming celebrant a few months before the day itself. This gives you time to find one whom you like, invite guests, arrange a reception and meet with the celebrant to discuss the order of events in the ceremony. Find a naming celebrant is easy - simply look through our celebrant directory today!