How to Plan a Memorable Baby Naming Ceremony: Expert Tips and Ideas from Jade Whaley Timaru Celebrant

Naming Ceremony or Baby Blessing from $350* 

Beautiful Indi had a Naming Celebration on the shores of Lake Tekapo | February 2022

A Naming Ceremony can take any format that you choose.
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It may be a simple welcome to our world, a formal naming of your child, or a blessing for the baby and your family. 

You can bring your loved ones together to acknowledge your child and who they are within your family.

​We can celebrate their name and it's significance. 

​Naming/blessing ceremonies have become popular over the years, and some opt for naming ceremonies over traditional christenings for newborns.

I will create an original, personalised ceremony with your family's beliefs, values and desires.

Little Indi in front of the rose that was planted to recognise and remember her naming ceremony. Her hand is on a wishing stone with well wishes and love declarations from her loved ones. | Photo: From family

​​If the parent or families belong to different cultures or faiths, naming ceremonies can be a good solution to include all the elements you want.

​The naming ceremony can have no religious content or include something to represent the values, culture of beliefs of both parents.
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Your ceremony may include readings, blessings, a symbolic enactment like planting a rose or tree, or a sand ceremony. 

"​I knew from the very first conversation with Jade that she was the perfect person to carry out our daughter's naming ceremony. She was very enthusiastic, full of great ideas and made the process fun!

Jade was very flexible and happy to go along with our ever-changing plans. She conducted a beautiful, heartfelt ceremony that we could not have been happier with. I would highly recommend Jade as a celebrant, you would be lucky to find someone more professional and well-organised than Jade!"

Alyse Mclellan ~ Indi's Mum

Why Have a Naming Ceremony?

Simply perfect newborn baby Toby Brown | Photo: From Hannah Brown

Let's welcome your baby into your world with family and friends.

Your naming ceremony will recognise your newest addition to the family and acknowledge the important members in your child's life.

​After months of waiting, your wee bundle of joy has burst into the world, after 40 weeks of pondering and growing excitement.

Why not recognise that you made it! You are parents to this wee human!
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It may have been difficult to conceive. Sometimes the pregnancy, delivery or first weeks/months months were challenging or traumatic and you may want to celebrate how far you all have come.

Proud big brother Marcus with baby Toby | Timaru | Photo: Hannah Brown

A naming is the perfect opportunity for the important people in your child's life to give well wishes, pledge their support to yourself and your child.

Grandparents, siblings, godparents, the nearest and dearest, can be recognised for who they are and the role they will play as your child grows and journeys through life.

Older brothers and sisters can reaffirm their place and importance in the family. 

When Should You Have a Naming?

Baby Freya had a naming ceremony in Waimate with family from overseas in attendance. There was a lovely sand ceremony to mark the occasion | Photo: From Jade

You can have a ceremony any time of their life. You don't have to wait for a birthday or other significant event.

When the borders opened up after covid lockdowns,  Jade was busy with naming celebrations, as families finally could get together!

It is lovely to have Grandparents, Godparents,  Aunties or Uncles, or even your childs siblings, say a few words, make promises or read to your wee one. 

Think about timing
​If your little one is small or loves their routine, it is important to try and have the ceremony for when they are awake and alert.

Often 11;00 am ceremonies are popular, so everyone can enjoy lunch together, and the baby can have a chance to settle and sleep in the afternoon. 

It is what suits you as a family.  I have officiated naming ceremonies at 9:00am and late in the afternoon

Ceremony Ideas + Formats

I can create your naming ceremony anyway you wish.
​Here are some ideas.

• Opening and welcome may include a poem, reading or waiata. 
• Introduction of your little one, little about their arrival and them
• Reasons for choice of their name with any significant meanings
• Reading/song or poem that reflects the child
• Recognition of significant people in the little ones life. 
• Promises and important words from the parents
• Promises and important words from any siblings, grandparents etc. This may include a reading, poem or individual promises. 
• Closing words and blessings.
• You may wish to include symbolic elements such as a sand ceremony, planting a tree or rose, unveiling a plaque or picture, lighting a candle, and presenting a gift.​
• Presenting of Certificate 
• Celebrate your little one

Freya's naming ceremony had a sand ceremony with three colours representing her Mum, Dad and her life all blending together.

Their unique, magnificent sand masterpiece which is a forever keepsake.

Blending of Families or Adult Name Change

​A naming ceremony isn't just for babies or young children.

• ​Blending of families

We can acknowledge step or adopted children in a beautiful ceremony to recognise their new name. The coming together, and blending of families is an important and beautiful time. 

• Name change

We can legally change our name in NZ by deed poll. 

​We can choose to change our name, for numerous reasons, including that we no longer feel we fit our old name. I often include  a naming ceremony in a gender transition or divorce ceremony.

​ Your name is important and carries a lot of energy with it. 

​With a beautifully written ceremony, your naming can be special to you; it can represent your new journey, on your new life, with your new name.

A name hold's a lot of meaning. It represents many things that make up  your or your little one. Why not honour that? ​

Contact Jade

Let's Connect!

I aim to assist you in anyway I can, to create a naming ceremony that is fitting for your child, loved one or yourself.

​Let's chat about what you would like.

Not sure what you want ?

It all good - I have got you, I am full of good ideas!
Love, Jade x
Connect with me.