Naming Ceremony Information |
Updated March 5, 2005 |
What is a naming ceremony?
Naming is a powerful act. It is a creative act, an act of shaping. After being asked about the gender of their child, the first thing expectant parents are asked is if they have chosen a name. We choose names carefully because of what they mean to us – we want our children to embrace their names, to feel a kinship with their names, to feel empowered by the gift of naming their parents give them.
A naming ceremony is a place for those who will support the child (and the parents!) on the growing-up journey to formally announce their intentions to participate in the life of the family. It is a place for older generations to give the gifts of love and attention to the new generation.
Why a naming ceremony?
There is little that can compare with the arrival of a new child into a family. It is an event that changes our lives. It is an event that we naturally want to honor in celebration with our loved ones.
All religious traditions have some way to honor this occasion, be it a christening, a dedication, a bris, or any of the other multitude of ceremonies. One way to honor this happy occasion in spiritual way that is not tied to one particular faith is with a naming ceremony.
How I do it
The naming ceremonies that I conduct are much like the weddings in that both are sacred events that need to be specially created and tailored for the participants. Just as a couple will learn more about each other as they craft their vows, so will a family learn more about their hopes and dreams for the child as they create the naming ceremony.
I have no standard number of meetings to help create a naming ceremony -- it depends completely on the needs expressed by the family. Likewise, I have no standard fee. Planning and fees can be discussed at an exploratory meeting.
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