Naming Ceremonies

In this new secular Ireland many parents are choosing to celebrate their baby’s arrival in a way more appropriate to their beliefs and philosophies. The ceremony can incorporate elements of a couple’s traditions, cultural practices or ideas into a baby naming ceremony that is meaningful to them and their family.

There are no set rules when it comes to this kind of rite of passage. You are simply gathering together all of the people who you hope will play a role in the child’s life. This is your chance to introduce them formally to your new arrival. It can take place in a function room, a garden, at home or anywhere that feels right for you.

You can incorporate live or recorded music. Poetry and prose can also be read out by either a guest, a parent or your celebrant. You can incorporate as much colour and imagination as you like in your baby naming ceremony. I can provide any poems/suggestions from my extensive archive.

Just a few of the many enhancements that can be included are:

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Bestowing
the Name

This is where a child is named, perhaps giving the reasons for choosing that name, maybe it was an ancestral name or perhaps had an interesting history.

This marks the very first time that a child is introduced to their community using their new given name.

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Appointing a guardian

Often a close family member or a dear friend will be made a guardian of the child, not in the legal sense but a figure who will make themselves available should the child ever need them for advice, care, guidance or help.

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Baby’s Hand and Footprints

This is where either a print or a cast is created during the ceremony of the baby’s tiny hands and feet, capturing their size and shape on that very day. The prints can be added to a baby scrapbook or if you are having a cast made in clay or, the hands and feet can be framed and displayed at home or kept as keepsake. Siblings can also play a role in this and it is a great way to help them to feel included in welcoming their new brother/sister.