Namings

Naming ceremonies

Most societies have ceremonies to introduce a baby to their wider family and to the community, and in many cultures those ceremonies are associated with giving the child a name.

For many people today, christening a baby does not seem right, but it is still important for the family to gather, to welcome the new child, to name him or her, and perhaps to give some adults special responsibilities.

It is my job to help you with a ceremony which is right for your family, and which helps parents and grandparents, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, and friends, to put their joy, their care and their hopes for the new arrival into a ceremony.

There is an outline to help you plan a naming ceremony below.

Usually an important part of a naming ceremony is the appointment of some extra adults who pledge themselves to supplement the attention of the parents. The words "godmother" and "godfather" may be used, but many people find those words wrong in a non-religious context. The words "sponsor” or “designated guardian” are possible alternatives. Another word which has a long history and which may be very fitting is "mentor".

The original Mentor was the older counsellor of young Telemachus, who had lost his father, Odysseus, in Homer's Odyssey. So the word "mentor" has come to mean an experienced and trusted advisor. And that’s the word I use below, but the choice is yours.

Remember, the following outline is just a possible starting point. It is meant to be changed. And it can be good to add one or two readings, perhaps to be given by key members of the family or friends.

Draft naming ceremony:

Parents' names bring this child here to declare before this gathering
their joy on Name's birth
and their wish that you share in that joy

They are thrilled at his/her safe arrival into this world
and they want you to help them welcome him/her
into their wider family
into the community of their friends
and into the world.

Along with their happiness
parents' names also have a sense of responsibility—even a sense of awe.

This welcome ceremony for Name is a time
to mark that sense of responsibility and awe
to remind parents' names
how much of their lives must now be devoted to caring for Name
to guiding him/her
and to nurturing him/her.

It is also a time to remind the baby’s older brothers and sisters of their responsibilities
to be kind and helpful to their new baby brother or sister
and the important role they will have throughout the whole of name’s life

And it is a time for us to offer parents’ and brothers’ and sisters’ names our support in those tasks

Watching the development of a child
can be an experience of great happiness
from the helplessness of babyhood
through his/her years as a toddler
a schoolboy/girl
and an adolescent
until he/she reaches maturity

Tomorrow's world is shaped
by the shaping of our children
in our homes
It is the treatment we give our children which determines
largely
whether they will grow to contribute to this world
or to be a drain on it

So as they make a home for Name
parents' names have a responsibility to the future

Today, this gathering declares its trust in parents' names
in making the conditions for Name's growth

In Name we have faith for a new generation
with new ways of seeing and thinking
For it is in the life of each new child like Name
that our hopes and aspirations can be renewed

We declare our hope in Name
who is a part of the future of our world

Parents' names
let us name your child.
Together with me
place a hand on the child
and say

Repeating after the celebrant
We name you
Child's full name
We promise our love, unconditionally
and our best efforts to be good parents

Parenthood is an awesome responsibility
and it is a responsibility which cannot easily be shared

But it is responsibility that can be lightened if there are other people who stand there in support

Just as parents' names wish you all here to share their joy
So they hope you also have a sense of sharing their responsibility.

There is one thing that we are certain of today:
The more this child is loved the more s/he will grow as a human being,
and the more s/he is loved the more s/he will himself/herself have love to give to others.

And there is another thing:
The more people this child feels connected to,
the more people this child can ask questions of,
the more people this child feels s/he can trust,
the richer his/her growth will be

So your presence here today is appreciated
as your presence in Name's life in the future will be appreciated -
your interest and your involvement in his/her life
as s/he grows to maturity

It is an important tradition in our culture
that at the time a child is formally named and welcomed into the community
some other adults agree to take special responsibilities for him/her
alongside his/her parents.

So today we will appoint two mentors for Name
chosen by his/her parents—
mentors who undertake a special responsibility for his/her welfare

I now ask the mentors:
Do [names of mentors]
accept this serious responsibility?

We do

Then with me touch this child, and say

[Repeating after the celebrant]

[Full name of child]
we solemnly swear
to take a special and lifelong interest in your welfare
and to offer you friendship, counsel, and support.

Parents and sworn mentors have special responsibilities
But we all feel a responsibility, and we all hope for every happiness in this child's life

So could we all together say these lines together?
Will you all repeat after me?

[Repeating after the celebrant]

We wish you long life and happiness
We trust you will be kind and compassionate
May you have success and good fortune
and may your life be one of love

[An appropriate reading may be inserted here]

It is the responsibility of us all to encourage Name
most importantly to encourage him/her
by example
In particular we wish to encourage the virtues that all people of good will agree are right
- integrity, honesty, fairness, and concern.

For the gift of childhood
whose innocence and laughter keep the world young
we all rejoice and give thanks.
May this sweet life
which we have accepted into our community of ideals and friendship
receive abundantly the blessings
of health, love, knowledge and wisdom
and in its turn give back richly to the common heritage
that endures from generation to generation

Child's full name
you have been named by your family and friends
your mentors have been appointed

We welcome you into this community.

Let us now drink a toast: To Name!