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Baby names are one of the Rite of Passage
ceremony held by nearly all societies to observe a person's entry into a new
stage of life. Rites of passage note such occasions as birth, graduation, or
marriage.
Most rites help people understand and accept their new roles in society .
I have done a number of Baby Naming ceremonies over the many years of being a
celebrant and have picked up a number of hints how to ensure the process flows
smoothly.
I have provided some background information
about the baby naming ceremony and why it exists in society
and why it is felt so important for many people of different faiths and
backgrounds.
Baby Naming History
Name giving ceremonies have a history almost as old as mankind itself. Those who
viewed the film Ben Hur will recall how when Ben Hur saved the Roman General the
latter named him as his son. A son was not a true legal member of the family
until the father had named the offspring in a ceremony. Thus a legal son could
be, in our terms, adopted, born out of wedlock, born of the wife or born of
another woman. Naming (or Name giving) was the rite which brought the child into
the family.
Name giving ceremonies as celebrants do them however, are relatively new. Ever
since some celebrants in the mid-seventies started to officiate at them, they
have become increasingly popular.
A name giving ceremony is not a baptism or a christening. Such ceremonies are by
definition religious and do not come within the scope of a celebrants work. This
ceremony in no way inhibits the child from seeking the truth during his life and
any future religious commitments of belief.
The baby name giving ceremony for the civil celebrant is most appropriate and a
fulfilling and meaningful experience. It is an occasion when a new birth is
celebrated and a child welcomed into the world. Family relationships are
deepened. The parents become more fully aware of their responsibilities. So, of
course, do the godparents (some celebrants prefer 'mentors' or 'guardians'). The
naming ceremony also has a community dimension, represented by the wider circle
of family and friends.
The baby naming ceremony is an excellent occasion for cultural expression - joy,
hope, acceptance - and should in time draw forth the best of our music and
literature. Many religious people are using the non-religious naming service to
celebrate the birth of their child. Many Christians, for example, do not believe
in infant baptism so choose this cultural celebration and leave the child free
to choose or not to choose baptism in their late teens. In fact, all naming
ceremonies are done or performed on this principle.
Of all the ceremonies which celebrants do, name givings are the most difficult.
This is because there are usually a number of children present to distract
everyone. The baby in question can take the attention in various ways by crying,
laughing, or googooing. The celebrant may often find himself in the position of
talking to no one. These ceremonies are also extremely rewarding and full of joy
and hope.
There are no prior legal requirements for this ceremony but you will need to supply
the names of those you wish to be guardians plus the birth date of child to the
celebrant.
Basically the baby naming ceremony format is as follows:-
* Introduction and welcome to guests
* Reading
* Godparent commitment
* Giving the Name
* Reading
* Final declaration
* Signing of Certificate
Music is an appropriate accompaniment to a
Baby Naming. There is also the possibility
of using candles and wish cards, which can be incorporated into the ceremony.
The celebrant, family, friends or the parents themselves can do the readings.
The ceremony can be easily adapted for single parent families.
Download my Free
Baby Naming Poems and select 2
poems for your ceremony, I have more available for my clients, contact me if you
have any questions. If you are just interested in what baby
names maybe popular in 2015, I suggest having a look at these
baby name
predications
out of interest. If you want to have a look at what baby names are popular
these days please visit popular baby names section
of this website.
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