Welcome your little one into your family and community

A naming ceremony is a beautiful way to welcome a child into your family and celebrate their place in the world. It’s a chance to gather the people who matter most, share your hopes and dreams for your child’s future, and create an occasion you’ll treasure forever.

What is a Humanist Naming Ceremony?

A Humanist naming ceremony is completely non-religious but deeply meaningful. Together, we will create a ceremony that reflects your family, your values, and what you want the day to mean.

It’s about celebrating your child as an individual, welcoming them into your family and community, and perhaps appointing guide parents (the Humanist alternative to godparents) who’ll play a special role in their life.

Your Family, Your Choice

The beauty of a naming ceremony is that it can be absolutely anything you want it to be. We can hold it anywhere - your garden, a favourite park, the village hall, a beach, or even your living room. It can be an intimate gathering of close family or a big celebration with everyone you love.

Some families choose to include:

• Promises or wishes from parents and guide parents

• Readings or poems that hold special meaning

• Symbolic gestures like tree planting, gift giving, or candle lighting

• Recorded or live music that is special to you

• Contributions from siblings, grandparents or friends

And some families prefer something beautifully simple - just heartfelt words about who their little love is and what they mean to you.

Who are Naming Ceremonies for?

Most naming ceremonies celebrate babies or young children, but they’re not just for very little ones. My daughter was three and my son, 10 months, when we celebrated their naming ceremony.

If you are non-religious and want something more meaningful than a party to mark this important new addition, a naming ceremony might be exactly what you’re looking for.

How We’ll Work Together

We’ll start with an informal chat - just us getting to know each other and you telling me about your family. I’ll ask about your child (their personailty; the stories behind their names, what makes them uniquely them), your hopes for their future, and what you’d like the ceremony to feel like.

Then I’ll go away and write the perfect ceremony for you. When you read it, I hope you feel that I’ve captured the essence of your family and this very special period in your lives. We’ll make sure it’s perfect and then I’ll deliver it on the day, with warmth and plenty of volume to ensure everyone can hear over the children having fun!

Let’s celebrate

Every child deserves a welcome that’s special and bespoke to them. If you think this sort of celebration is right for your family, let’s chat about how we can celebrate your little one.