What is a Naming Ceremony?

As an Independent Celebrant the majority of my work centres around the creation, writing and delivering of three principle ceremonies - weddings, funerals and naming ceremonies.  Whilst it is certainly possible and, in my biased opinion, valuable, to have a ceremony for any significant life event (see my blog on other ceremonies), it is on these three occasions that people tend to find a ceremony most helpful.  I have written before about celebrant-led weddings and funerals so in this article turn my attention to naming ceremonies.

"Family is not an important thing, it's everything." Michael J Fox

A new addition to the family, be that by birth or adoption, is a perfect occasion to acknowledge with a ceremony.  For centuries, the arrival of a new baby has been accompanied by specific rituals usually associated with the religious tradition of the family. Often these rituals are associated with the choice of a name for the new family member.   As religious affiliation has declined, some people have found themselves wondering how to mark this most significant of events.  If a family consists of members of more than one religion, a bespoke ceremony can feel more fitting than any particular one and for those of no religious faith, the chance to mark a new addition to the family in a way pertinent to them can be welcome.

Names are important; they have power. They state our place, position and power.  We are offended if someone we know forgets our name, uses the wrong name or mis-pronounces our name. Usually we carry our name with us through life, often the first gift bestowed to us by our parents which remains with us even when they no longer can be.  Our names link us to our heritage and our community and reflect our identity.  For all these reasons a change of name is often reflective of a significant life event and might be considered worthy of acknowledgement.  

Traditionally women changed their surname to signify their marriage and whilst this is still popular, some couples today prefer to combine their surnames to reflect their joint change of status. There are a multitude of reasons why someone might want to change their name during their life - change of gender identity, divorce, remarriage and more.  I am convinced of the value of acknowledging such a change with a ceremony.

"the power of ceremony. It marries the mundane to the sacred." Robin Wall Kimmerer

Naming ceremonies can be formal or informal, public or intensely private and would certainly vary depending on the specific context.  A naming ceremony for a baby might include promises from parents and other adults such as guardians or ‘moral parents’ whereas a ceremony following gender reassignment might centre around acknowledgements and acceptance of the individual.  Rituals associated with naming ceremonies will vary according to the age of the individual and again the context - blessing an infant with water might feel comfortable, whereas the sharing of a favourite cocktail would better suit an adult ceremony!  Important and or sentimental items, such as family heirlooms can take centre stage in a naming ceremony and it would be usual to explore the meaning of the chosen name.

By Catrina Young, Leicestershire Heart-led celebrant, Marking Life’s Moments.

© Hardingstone Ceremonies, April, 2025