If you consider yourself as non-religious, or if you hold religious or alternative beliefs and want to celebrate the arrival of a new child you can hold a Naming Ceremony.

What is a Naming Ceremony?

A naming ceremony is the perfect alternative to a traditional christening for families who are not religious, or hold religious or alternative beliefs but do not want a fully religious ceremony. A naming ceremony focuses on the child and the friends and family that surround them and allows you to celebrate in a way that is personal and meaningful to you.

Naming Ceremonies can be held for children of any age and the purpose is to welcome babies, adopted children, or stepchildren into the family.

How do Naming Ceremonies work?

Every ceremony is individual and unique, so you can be as creative and imaginative as you wish. No single tradition or belief system guides the ceremony so you also have the freedom to create a celebration that reflects who you are as a family and highlights the child’s personality and character. 

Naming Ceremonies usually include a symbolic ritual, such as signing a certificate, foot/hand printing, sand ceremonies or even planting of tree. You can also conceive and incorporate your own ritual if you want to have an extra personal touch.

The length of a naming ceremony will vary, but they are usually no more than 20-30 minutes as trying to keep children amused and content for longer than that suddenly becomes a game of herding kittens!

As a family you are fully in control of themes, venues and locations and there are no legal restrictions, so the ceremony can literally be held anywhere - train stations, hotels, zoos, farms, at home are some of the possible venues, but the options are literally endless.

It is entirely up to you if you’d like your child to have important and trusted adults in their lives named as ‘Godparents’,  ‘Guideparents’ or ‘Sparents’, but as with all things in the ceremony you are not restricted to following these suggestions and can use any name you wish.

As the Celebrant leading the ceremony I will speak with you as parents and as a family and find out your wishes for the ceremony. I’ll also ask about the child and their likes and dislikes because it’s all about them. The day should be about celebrating your child, your family and the support of your extended family and friends. You tell me how you’d like your special day to be and I will make sure it happens. 

You can book my services for a naming ceremony directly by contacting in either of the following ways

Email - caledonian-celebrant@live.co.uk 

Telephone - 07917 325995