Your words, your way: a naming that welcomes every family

A humanist naming ceremony is a beautiful way to welcome your child into their wider world, however they came into your life.  I’ll work with you to create a ceremony that’s entirely yours, celebrating you and your new arrival’s journey.  Whether we are marking the end of a long journey to parenthood, or bringing together a family that’s grown in its own unique way, I’ll make sure the ceremony feels completely like you.

Humanist naming ceremonies welcome families of all shapes and none, with no assumptions and nothing off the table.   Adoption, stepchildren, single parents, surrogacy, anyway a child has come into your life, you are welcome here.

My Role: Creating Your Perfect Naming Ceremony

1. Your First Meeting

I always start with a free, no-obligation chat so you can be sure I’m the celebrant for you. We’ll talk about your ideas, your family, and what you’d like the day to feel like. If there’s another language involved, we’ll talk about your guests and what balance would work best. There’s no commitment required, it’s simply a chance to make sure we’re the right fit for each other.

2. Getting to Know Your Family

Once you’re ready to go ahead, we’ll arrange a planning meeting. Ahead of this I’ll send you some questions to help you think about what you’d like the ceremony to include, from your child’s personality and story to who you’ve chosen as god/guideparents and why. The questions are there to spark ideas, and we’ll work through them together.

We’ll then meet for an hour or two to shape the ceremony. This is at your convenience, although I find after bathtime tends to work best for most parents! I’ll write a first draft based on our conversation and send it across for your review, and we’ll refine it together from there.

3. On the Day

I’ll arrive well ahead of the ceremony to make sure everyone and everything is in place. I’ll speak with any readers or participants so they feel comfortable and know their cues, coordinate with anyone else involved in the day, and deal with anything unexpected so you don’t have to. Your job on the day is simply to enjoy it.

Stephanie was the celebrant for our daughter’s naming ceremony and she was absolutely incredible – she turned our vague ideas about a naming day into an incredibly personal and special moment. She absolutely caught the essence of us as a family and what we want for our little girl. She brought a relaxed style and humour to the day and turned the ceremony into something that more than exceeded our expectations. Thank you!

4. Practical Details

• Fees: I charge £400 for a naming ceremony. Please get in touch for a personalised quote for bilingual ceremonies or anything more complex.
• Booking: I’d recommend booking as early as you can, though I’m happy to discuss availability whatever your timeline.
• Travel: I’m based near Wimbledon and cover South West London and beyond. Please get in touch for a quote if you’re outside London.

What makes a Humanist naming ceremony different?

A humanist naming ceremony puts your child at its centre. It’s a celebration of who they are, what they mean to you, and the family and wider community you’re welcoming them into. There’s no fixed script: just a ceremony built entirely around your family. From readings and music to symbolic gestures like sand ceremonies or candle lighting, we can include whatever feels right. And if you’re not sure what that is yet, that’s exactly what we’re here to figure out together.

Is a naming ceremony right for us if our journey to parenthood wasn’t straightforward?

Absolutely. A naming ceremony can be a particularly meaningful choice for families who’ve been through IVF, adoption, fostering, or surrogacy. There are no assumptions built into the ceremony about how your family came to be, and, having had a tricky journey to parenthood myself, it would be my privilege to help you create something that reflects everything it took to get here.

What about blended families or non-traditional family structures? 

A naming ceremony can be a beautiful way to mark a child’s place in a newly formed family, whether that’s a blended family coming together, a child being raised by grandparents, a single parent by choice… any and all configurations! Humanism celebrates all families, and I’ll make sure everyone who matters is reflected in the ceremony.

What about god/guideparents?

God/guideparents are often a key part of the ceremony.  You can use whatever name you would like for them, be it guideparents, godparents or something more unique like sparents or god-less parents!  Of course, I’m available to help with their vows.

Where can I have a naming ceremony?

A naming ceremony can take place wherever you would like!  A local pub, a park, a back garden or a living room are all excellent places to have a naming ceremony.  I’m really happy to discuss options and how best to manage the ceremony in them.

How long is a naming ceremony?

Most naming ceremonies run between 20 and 30 minutes, though there’s no rule. Some families prefer something shorter to wrangle wee ones more easily, others want a fuller celebration. We’ll talk through what feels right for you and your guests, whatever their ages, and I’ll make sure the length fits the occasion.

Is there a legal element to a naming ceremony? 

No, and that’s one of the things that makes them so flexible. A naming ceremony has no legal status, which means there are no restrictions on where it can take place, who can be involved, or what it can include. Your child’s birth registration is a separate process handled through your local register office.

Do naming ceremonies only happen for children or babies?

Not at all! Naming ceremonies suit family members of any age. They can be a wonderful way to welcome an older adopted child into a new family, to mark a child’s place in a newly blended household, or to celebrate any significant transition. If there’s a moment worth marking, we can create a ceremony for it.

What about gender affirmation ceremonies?

Humanism welcomes the opportunity to recognise gender transition and to celebrate and affirm this stage in your life and your chosen name.  I very much welcome gender affirmation ceremony enquiries and would love to help you create a ceremony that best celebrates your authentic self.

Ready to plan a naming?  Get in touch and let’s make it happen!