A naming ceremony is a very special way of celebrating the birth of your child and welcoming the new arrival into the family and the wider community. It is also an opportunity to declare, before family and friends, your promise to be as good a parent as you can and for adult friends or relatives to confirm their special relationship with your child. It is a unique occasion for everyone to feel involved as they pledge their love and support for your child’s future development.

Perhaps you are looking for a ceremony which acts as a focal point to make a formal start to your celebrations with family and friends. You may not consider a religious baptism to be appropriate – then a naming ceremony is ideal.

Naming ceremonies can also be used as a celebration of adoption or to welcome step-children into an extended family unit. Children of any age may have a naming ceremony – you may wish to include older children as well as your new child