Baby Naming Ceremony

Please note that this is a guide to a basic, traditional order of service. Couples and celebrants are welcome to add, change, reorder, and/or omit any parts.

There are NO legal requirements for Baby Naming. The Celebrant will prepare a luxurious, decorative certificate and present it to the parents.

Welcome

The celebrant welcomes all the guests and provides any applicable housekeeping announcements (phones on silent, ‘unplugged’ info, what’s happening after the ceremony – group photo, etc.)

Purpose of the Ceremony

The naming of a child has a long tradition, it establishes his or her identity, and is celebrated in different cultures and religions throughout the world.

For you all, as members and friends of this family, this ceremony is an opportunity to think about this child’s future and to consider ways in which your relationship with him/her can provide the love and respect that will strengthen his/her character. 

Each child has a need to be part of a group of loving and supportive people to nurture their growth and development. This provides them with emotional and practical guidance bound together with love, friendship, and respect.

Each of you here today makes up part of that special group and will also walk with them as they grow – learning about the world in which they live. You may also celebrate many of their own special moments in life, and be someone to whom they may choose to turn in times of need.

Representatives’ commitment 

If the parents have decided to have God parents, Guardians or mentors for tehc hild, this is usually incorporated into the ceremony at this point.

• God parents
• Grandparents

The family story

Traditionally the one of the parent speaks about the journey in life and about the new addition to the family.

An alternative option here is a family blessing/ acknowledgement, where the parents or grand parents are asked to confirm their love and support in the later part of the baby’s life.

Naming of the child

A small part in the ceremony talking about why the family chose that name for their child. This is an important part of their story. The family might also speak of their ancestors especially if the child was named after someone significant such as a Grandparent.

Parents’ commitment

The celebrant will request the parents by not only giving the name to the child and welcome into your family today but also to pledge your commitment to him/her in order that he/she will have a rich and full life as he/she grows towards adulthood.  

[Parent/s can choose one or more of the following;  They can answer ‘I promise’ or repeat the promise after the celebrant, or write their own promises.]

Do you promise__(Child’s name)__ a childhood of love, happiness, patience and understanding; sheltering him/her, and protecting him/her from harm for as long as he/she needs you?

Do you promise to love __(Child’s names)__without condition, to support him/her without judgement, respecting him/her as an individual,  so that he/she may grow into an honest, responsible, caring and confident adult?

Do you promise to guide and stimulate his/her learning and development, and to give support and encouragement so that __(Child’s name)__  may fulfil his/her potential in life?

Rituals/Blessings

The parents may include any particular baby naming rituals or blessings. These can be traditional, religious or multicultural.

Signing of Certificates

The parents sign their Baby naming certificates with their celebrant.

Those of you here today are all especially important to __(Child’s name)__, you will be part of his/her world, and he/she will look amongst you for leadership and companionship, for support and to be cherished. By watching you he/she will learn how life works. 

I am sure that the welcome and support that you have pledged will be lasting and that you will love and care for __(Child’s name)__ throughout his/her life; and that he/she in turn will bring ever-increasing joy and gladness to your lives.  

I believe that it has meant a great deal to __(Parent/s names)__ that you have all been here to share this happy occasion.  Thank you all for coming and have a wonderful celebration.

While I remain a member of the Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants Inc. (AFCC), I agree to comply with the spirit, intent, and provisions of this Code of Ethics and accept the responsibilities implied by membership in the association:

• To maintain the highest levels of business, professional and personal standards;

• To respect in all circumstances the privacy, confidentiality and trust expected by clients and members of the public;

• To provide sufficient, timely, transparent and accurate information about the range and extent of services available, the costs of those services and the functions and responsibilities accepted for and on behalf of clients;

• To respect the personal choices of clients, having due regard to the diversity of beliefs, cultural backgrounds and practices; 

• To ensure that all personal advertising is in good taste and directed at informing the public without indicating any conflicts of interest,

• To be conversant with relevant legislation and regulations directly or indirectly applicable to celebrancy and to comply with such;

• To respect the ethical expectations of other professionals with whom I interact in my celebrancy activities

• To inform and provide access to relevant client advisory services and authorities to facilitate mediation or resolution of any