What Is a Naming Ceremony — and Who Are They For?
What Is a Naming Ceremony — and Who Are They For?
If you’ve never been to a naming ceremony, you’re not alone. Unlike weddings or funerals, these beautiful, personal moments often fly under the radar. But let me tell you — they’re full of meaning, joy, and deep connection.
So let’s talk about what a naming ceremony really is, who it might be right for, and how I can help you shape one that feels honest, joyful, and completely yours.
First things first: What is a naming ceremony?
A naming ceremony is a celebration of identity, belonging, and new beginnings. There’s no fixed format, no religious content (unless you want it), and no official legal paperwork. It’s simply a chance to gather your people and say, “Here is this life. Here is this name. Let’s celebrate what it means.”
Who might choose a naming ceremony?
Naming ceremonies are wonderfully flexible and can be deeply meaningful in all kinds of situations:
→ For a new baby or child
Celebrate their arrival, welcome them into your community, and mark the start of their journey with words, rituals, promises, and love.
→ For adoptive or blended families
A beautiful way to honour a new bond, acknowledge chosen family, and give space for everyone to feel seen and celebrated.
→ For adults affirming a chosen name
Many trans and non-binary people choose to celebrate their name in a ceremony that honours who they are and how far they’ve come. These ceremonies are some of the most powerful I’ve ever witnessed.
→ For anyone marking a new beginning
A naming ceremony can also honour a spiritual transformation, a personal rite of passage, or even a moment of rebirth after hardship. There are no limits here.
So what actually happens in a naming ceremony?
Every ceremony is different, because every person (and every story) is different. But here are a few ingredients we might draw from:
Words and storytelling – I’ll work with you to create a ceremony script that reflects who you are, your journey so far, and what this moment means.
Readings and music – Whether it’s a children’s book quote, a family poem, or a favourite song, we’ll weave in what feels right.
Promising rituals – Parents, guardians, or chosen family may want to make heartfelt promises — we can craft these together.
Symbolic touches – Candles, tree planting, ribbon ceremonies, memory boxes… if something feels meaningful, we’ll make space for it.
Space for joy and emotion – These ceremonies often hold laughter, tears, storytelling, and stillness — all are welcome.
My approach to naming ceremonies
I’m here to make your ceremony feel safe, celebratory, and completely personal. I’m LGBTQ+ inclusive, trauma-informed, and always ready to hold space with care and respect.
Whether you want something playful and colourful or gentle and grounding, we’ll shape the tone together — no template, no pressure.
Final thoughts
A naming ceremony can be whatever you need it to be.
A celebration. A homecoming. A bold claiming of who you are. A moment to say “Welcome. We see you. We love you.”
And I would be so honoured to hold that space with you.