Frequently Asked Questions About Naming Ceremonies

A christening is a religious ceremony, usually involving baptism and welcoming a child into the Christian faith. A Humanist naming ceremony is non-religious and celebrates the child without introducing them into any particular belief system. Instead, it focuses on the love and support surrounding them and their freedom to develop their own beliefs and values as they grow. Both can be meaningful family occasions, but they serve different purposes.

The lovely thing is that there really isn’t a typical ceremony! Most begin with a warm welcome, followed by some words about your family and the child we’re celebrating. We might share the story behind their name, include a favourite poem or reading, invite parents and guide parents to make promises and incorporate a symbolic ritual. We’ll usually finish with the formal naming and a few celebratory words. But that’s just a starting point. Every ceremony I create is different because every family is different.

Almost anywhere you like! I’ve always believed that the setting should suit your family rather than the other way around. You might choose your own home or garden, a village hall, a hotel, a favourite outdoor space or somewhere with special meaning to you. Humanist naming ceremonies aren’t legally restricted to licensed venues, so there’s plenty of flexibility, although you’ll need any necessary permission to use your chosen location. I’m based in Stoke-on-Trent and conduct naming ceremonies throughout Staffordshire and the surrounding areas.

Absolutely, and they can be a lovely way of making your ceremony even more personal. A sand blending ceremony, for example, allows different family members to pour coloured sand into a single container, symbolising their individual contributions to family life. Other possibilities include candle lighting, tree planting, a wishing tree, a memory box or a time capsule filled with messages for your child’s future. I’ll happily talk you through the possibilities and help you find something that feels meaningful to your family.

Of course! In fact, I positively encourage it if that’s something you’d like to do. Your promises might reflect the values you hope to share with your child, the support you’ll give them or simply your commitment to love and encourage them as they grow. They don’t need to be formal or elaborate. Sometimes the simplest words are the most meaningful. And if you’re not sure where to begin, don’t worry. I’ll help you find the right words.

Guide parents are the non-religious equivalent of godparents. They’re people you choose to play a special role in your child’s life, offering friendship, encouragement, guidance and support as they grow. They might be relatives, close friends or other important people in your family’s life. You can invite them to make promises during the ceremony, but you certainly don’t have to appoint guide parents at all, and there’s no fixed number, it’s entirely your choice.

No. Being a guide parent is a personal and symbolic commitment, not a legal appointment. If you’d like someone to become your child’s legal guardian should anything happen to you, that needs to be arranged separately through the appropriate legal process, usually as part of making a will.

There are so many lovely possibilities! Grandparents might share a reading, siblings could help with a sand blending ceremony, and close friends might make promises or contribute messages for your child’s future. You could invite everyone to add a fingerprint to a family tree, write wishes for a memory box or take part in a symbolic activity. I’ll help you find ways of involving the people who matter most without anyone feeling pressured to perform.

Definitely! Involving siblings can be one of the most delightful parts of a naming ceremony. Depending on their age and confidence, they might read a poem, make a promise, present a small gift or help with a symbolic ritual. And, of course, little ones don’t always follow the script, which can lead to some wonderfully spontaneous moments! I’ll always try to make sure they feel included and important

Absolutely. Naming ceremonies aren’t just for babies. Some families choose to wait until their child is older, perhaps combining the occasion with a birthday. Others want to celebrate an adoption, welcome a stepchild or mark the coming together of a blended family. I’ve also created celebrations for other important life changes. Whatever your circumstances, we can design something meaningful and appropriate.

Of course! A joint naming ceremony can be a wonderful way to celebrate two or more children together. We can include individual stories, promises and special moments for each child while celebrating the family as a whole. The important thing is that everyone has their own place in the ceremony.

Yes, and lots of families do! A first birthday is a particularly popular occasion for a naming ceremony, but there’s no reason to limit yourself to that. Combining the two celebrations can be a lovely way to bring family and friends together and make the day even more memorable.

Most Humanist naming ceremonies last around 20 to 30 minutes, although the length depends on what you’d like to include. A ceremony with several readings, promises and symbolic rituals may take a little longer. We’ll agree on a format that suits your family, particularly if there are lots of young children attending. The ceremony is just one part of your celebration, so there’ll be plenty of time afterwards for cake, photographs and enjoying yourselves!

Only if you’d like to. There are no compulsory elements in a Humanist naming ceremony. Some families love including poetry, favourite songs or meaningful readings, while others prefer to keep things simple. If you’d like some inspiration, I have plenty of suggestions and I’m always happy to help you find something that feels just right.

Please don’t worry! You’re certainly not alone, and I would never want you to feel uncomfortable during your own celebration. If you’d like to make promises but don’t fancy delivering a speech, I can read them for you and simply invite you to respond with a few words. We can arrange everything so that you feel relaxed and confident on the day.

Yes. Following your naming ceremony, I’ll leave you with a presentation copy of your personalised script and a naming certificate. They’re lovely keepsakes to look back on and perhaps share with your child when they’re older.

My fee for a personalised Humanist naming ceremony is £400. This includes our initial planning discussions, getting to know your family, writing and revising your bespoke ceremony, conducting it on the day and providing a presentation script and naming certificate. A £50 non-refundable deposit secures your chosen date. I’m always happy to explain what’s involved and discuss your plans before you make any commitment.

It’s always worth getting in touch as soon as you have a date in mind, particularly if you’re planning a weekend celebration during the warmer months. That said, if you’ve decided on something at shorter notice, please do ask. I’ll always let you know whether I’m available.

Choosing an accredited Humanists UK celebrant means you’re working with someone who has undertaken specialist training and is committed to maintaining professional standards. I’ve been conducting Humanist ceremonies since 2018 and take great pride in creating celebrations that are personal, inclusive and full of warmth. For me, it’s never simply about delivering a ceremony. It’s about getting to know your family and creating something you’ll remember with affection for years to come.

Then you’ll be in very good company! Families come in all shapes and sizes, and that’s something worth celebrating. Whether you’re a single parent, a same-sex couple, an adoptive family, a blended family or anything in between, your ceremony will reflect the people you are and the relationships you share. There are no assumptions about what a family should look like, just a genuine celebration of yours.