A baby naming ceremony is a non-religious celebration when a child is “officially” named. The naming ceremony has no legal status but has become increasingly popular with parents who do not want a religious christening or baptism.
There are three types of naming ceremonies:
◇Ceremonies Organized by the Parents. This is the least formal and, in some opinions, the most personal style of naming ceremony. The parents write and lead the ceremony themselves at home or in a venue such as a hired function room in a hotel. As the procedure has no legal status, parents are free to style the ceremony in any way that they please.
◇Ceremonies Organized by a Private Company. There are many private companies which offer a number of naming ceremony packages that vary in cost depending on the level of individuality required. The company writes and styles the ceremony and a trained individual acts as the celebrant and conducts the ceremony. The company will present the parents with a certificate as a keepsake of the day. Alternatively, a cheaper option offered by most companies is a planning service, where the ceremony is planned for the parents to conduct themselves, without an officiant.
◇Civil Naming Ceremonies. This government-led scheme, offered by most local authorities, provides parents with the opportunity to host a civil naming ceremony in an approved venue in their area. An individual from the local registration service, acting as a celebrant instead of a registrar, conducts the ceremony. The parents are able to select an approved local venue which has the correct fire and safety standards and public liability insurance for the ceremony, for example the local register office or a hotel. The parents may receive a certificate as a keepsake of the day at the end of the ceremony.
■General Considerations
◇A naming celebration usually takes place a few months after the baby was born.
◇Some individuals may be asked to be “supporting adults”, instead of godparents, and their role should be undertaken with equal commitment as that of a godparent.