Celebrating your chosen name - from newborns to new beginnings
For such a small word, names matter. Sometimes the right name is with you since you’re born, sometimes it blooms later in life, and sometimes it’s discovered after years of trying on the wrong ones for size.
Whatever the story, a name deserves celebrating. Enter the naming ceremony… the joyful, totally customisable, gloriously inclusive way to honour identity, family and new chapters.
And despite what some people think, it’s not just about squishy newborns, adorable as they are.
Naming ceremonies are for:
Newborns
Adopted children
Foster families
Blended families
Adults choosing a new name
Trans and non-binary people affirming identity
Anyone stepping into a new chapter of life
If you’ve got a name worth celebrating, this guide is for you.
Why naming ceremonies matter so much
A naming ceremony gives you space to say:
“This is who I am.”
“This is who we are.”
“This is the story we choose.”
No paperwork. No formalities. No rules chiseled into stone tablets. Just meaning, connection and celebration — exactly how you want it.
A ceremony that reflects real life (not a template)
Traditional ceremonies often come with a script that hasn’t changed since the dinosaurs were knocking around. With a naming ceremony, You decide the tone:
Warm and heartfelt
Funny and irreverent
Gentle and cosy
Bold and empowering
Or a perfect mix
And because it’s so flexible, it works just as beautifully for adopted children as it does for adults stepping into their true identity.
A beautiful way to honour identity and chosen names
For trans and non-binary people, your name can be a powerful declaration of self. A naming ceremony becomes a moment of recognition — from yourself, from your community, from those who love you.
It can be quiet and intimate or huge and celebratory. Candles or confetti. Poetry or punchlines. Whatever feels right.
A lovely way to welcome new family members
Families are built in all sorts of wonderful ways:
Adoption
Fostering
Surrogacy
Stepfamilies
Blended families
Chosen families
A naming ceremony can honour not just the new name, but the whole family’s story:
Promises from guardians
Recognition of birth families (if appropriate)
Pledges from siblings (always adorable, occasionally chaotic)
Symbolic rituals that mark unity and belonging
It’s a chance to say: “You’re part of us now. Properly. Fully. Joyfully.”
Rituals that feel meaningful — not cheesy
Forget anything that makes you cringe. Rituals can be modern, meaningful and genuinely lovely.
Some popular choices:
Sand blending — perfect for blended families
Tree planting — something that grows with them
Wishes jar — future wisdom from everyone who loves them
Book blessings — each guest brings a favourite story
Candle lighting — simple but powerful
Thumbprint art — messy, cute, extremely frameable
We can also create something totally new if nothing on the list speaks to you. A “Ceremonial biscuit dunk” is still waiting for its moment… just saying.
The people who matter get to be part of the day
Naming ceremonies naturally make space for:
Guideparents or mentors
Grandparents
Siblings of every age
Best friends
Your chosen family
Whoever allows you to feel safe and be your authentic self
Roles can be big and bold or tiny and tender — readings, promises, symbolic gestures, or simply standing beside you in quiet solidarity. It’s a ceremony built on community, not pressure.
No rules, no judgement, no expectations
Want to hold it in your garden? Sorted. In a café? Lovely. At the beach, in your living room, in a forest, or in the local community centre? All excellent choices.
Want it short and sweet? Or full of stories and laughter? Or so full of emotion that everyone needs a tissue?
It’s all allowed. It’s all valid. It’s all yours.
A celebrant (hi, that’s me!) who listens, understands and creates something true to you
Whether you’re welcoming a new baby, embracing your true identity, or celebrating a newly blended family…
My job is to get to know you, hear your story, understand your values and craft a ceremony that feels like it could only belong to you.
Warm, inclusive, thoughtful, occasionally cheeky — but always respectful and always authentic.
A naming ceremony is a celebration of identity, belonging and love — in all its forms
Newborns. New beginnings. New names. New chapters.
Whoever you are, and however your family is shaped, a naming ceremony is your chance to say:
“This is us — beautifully, proudly and unapologetically.”
If you’d like to talk through ideas or explore what your ceremony could look like, I’d love to chat.
