Below we've listed many of the questions people ask about baby namings. If yours isn't here, please do contact us. The British Humanist Association also has lots of information about baby namings - click here for more details.
What happens at a baby naming?Each ceremony will be different but might typically involve some kind of pledges / commitments from parents, the formal naming of the child and the appointment of ‘guideparents’. Many families also choose to formally acknowledge the role of grandparents and siblings.
What sort of people have baby naming ceremonies?
Anyone and everyone who wants to mark and celebrate the arrival of a child but does not want to do it with a religious ceremony. Families choosing these sorts of ceremonies come from a wide variety of backgrounds and whilst some would describe themselves as ‘humanists’, this is not a prerequisite! What these families have in common is a desire to have a personal and heartfelt ceremony to welcome their child.
Where are naming ceremonies usually held?
You can choose to have your naming ceremony wherever will suit you and your child the best. Many ceremonies are held at home or in the garden, other people prefer to hire a local venue. Some families have opted to have their ceremony conducted in a public place such as a local park.
How long do the ceremonies take?
This varies enormously depending on what the family wish to include but as a rule of thumb, many last around twenty minutes.
How much does it cost?We charge from £160 for a naming ceremony. This covers an initial meeting to discuss your requirements, the drafting of the ceremony and our attendance on the day itself. The precise cost will depend on the amount of
travelling we will need to do and we will always give you an exact price before
you confirm your booking. Please note that our fees fall within a range determined by the South-West region of British Humanist Association celebrants.
My child isn't a baby any more. Are these ceremonies suitable for toddlers and beyond?
Absolutely! Because our ceremonies are tailor-made, there isn’t any age limit for which children they are suitable for. Toddlers and older children make for quite different ceremonies than baby namings – and often more participative ones! – but they are every bit as joyful and significant occasions. Some children even participate in their own ceremony.
Won't my other child(ren) feel left out?
A naming ceremony is the celebration of a new addition to a family, and so older children are crucially important. We can suggest various ways of actively involving other children depending on their age and preferences (e.g. young children might like to present the baby with a special painting, older siblings might be happy doing a reading or song).
Can I have a joint naming ceremony for more than one child?Yes. We’ve conducted a number of ceremonies for siblings; not just twins but children of differing ages too. The challenge here is to make sure that the attention on each child is not diluted. There are various ways of making this happen. Naming siblings together can make for a wonderful, whole-family celebration.
We'd like to invite other children to the ceremony. Will it be suitable for them?
Humanist naming ceremonies are a celebration of children as well as the individual child, and so it gives extra meaning to the event if there are young people among the guests. We will be able to suggest ways to meet these younger guests’ needs and, if you would like to do so, how to involve them in your ceremony.
I've got a religious aunt / uncle / grandma and am worried about them being offended...
Humanism has at its heart a belief in the ability and potential of all human beings. Our ceremonies are joyous celebrations that acknowledge the responsibilities inherent in raising a child. Most families contain members with different
religious views and we aim to create a ceremony that brings the family
together, not divides them. In some circumstances it might be appropriate to include a short time for guests’ private thoughts and so giving any religious guests the chance for silent prayer should they wish.
Is there an equivalent of ‘godparents’?
Whilst the term ‘godparent’ is clearly not appropriate for a non-religious ceremony, many parents greatly value their child having a named adult(s) with whom they will have a special relationship as they grow up. Many families therefore choose to appoint ‘guideparents’, ‘guardians’ or even ‘oddparents’ (!) at their child’s naming, with these adults often formally committing to the child’s welfare and upbringing at the ceremony itself.
How much work is to organise a Humanist ceremony?Organising a naming involves a certain amount of thinking and planning, but your celebrants will guide you through the whole process and will write a ceremony that is perfectly fitting for you. Our expertise and training is in
creating a perfect ceremony for each family, so you can relax and start looking forward to the big day!
I’m definitely interested. What next?
We will suggest that you get a copy of the BHA’s New Arrivals book to get some ideas about what you would like your ceremony to include. This book is useful as it gives sections from real ceremonies
that you might like to pick and choose from.
Next we will arrange a family meeting to discuss your requirements in more detail. We will also be able to advise on a number of practical issues (e.g. poems, how to involve older siblings etc.).
After discussing your
requirements and preferences, we produce the first draft of a ceremony. We'll pass this to you for feedback well before the ceremony itself.
