Welcoming a new baby into your family is a momentous occasion, and many families wish to celebrate this milestone with a special ceremony.
A humanist naming ceremony and a christening are both ways to welcome a child into the world, but they differ in their purpose, structure, and underlying beliefs. A christening is a religious ceremony, typically held in a church, where a child is baptized into the Christian faith, symbolising their entry into the religious community. In contrast, a humanist naming ceremony is a non-religious celebration that focuses on the child’s unique identity and the love of family and friends.
A Humanist Ceremonies naming ceremony is a personalised celebration led by a highly trained Humanist Ceremonies celebrant, designed to reflect the family’s values, beliefs, and hopes for the child’s future. Unlike a christening, which takes place in a church, a humanist naming ceremony can be held anywhere meaningful to the family, such as a garden, park, or community space.
Christening
✅ Religious Significance – A christening is a religious ceremony, symbolising a child’s entry into the Christian faith
✅ Godparents – Parents choose godparents who will promise to take on a spiritual guiding role in the child’s life
✅ Community & Church – A christening follows a traditional structure led by a minister or priest and takes place in a church, embracing the family’s connection to the Christian community
Humanist Naming Ceremony
✅ Non-Religious & Inclusive – A Humanist naming ceremony welcomes a child into the world without religious elements, making it suitable for families of mixed beliefs or those who are not religious, they are also inclusive to guests of all faiths
✅ Personalised Ceremony – There is no set structure, allowing parents to create a unique event with readings, promises, music, and symbolic gestures
✅ Guide parents or Mentors – Instead of godparents, families can choose special individuals to support and guide the child throughout their life
✅ Focus on Values & Relationships – The ceremony highlights the child’s individuality, the love of family and friends, and the values they will be raised with
What Happens in a Humanist Naming Ceremony?
Every humanist naming ceremony is bespoke and completely tailored to the family’s wishes. There is no set structure, but some typical elements include:
- The celebrant welcomes everyone and may include meaningful readings, poems, or music chosen by the family. Find some poems for naming ceremonies here
- Parents officially introduce their child’s name and may share the reason they have chosen it, and its meaning
- Parents make special promises to their child, expressing their hopes and commitments
- Families often choose guide parents or mentors who pledge to support and encourage the child as they grow
- Many families incorporate symbolic gestures such as lighting a candle, planting a tree, making a wish tree, or filling a time capsule with messages. Find some tips for what to include in a naming ceremony here
Why Choose a Humanist Naming Ceremony?
A humanist naming ceremony is a very meaningful way to bring family and friends together to celebrate a child’s arrival in a way that is inclusive, memorable, and unique. It is ideal for families who don’t follow any religion but still want to mark this special occasion in a heartfelt and memorable way.
Planning Your Own Humanist Naming Ceremony
Planning a humanist naming ceremony is a wonderful opportunity to create a truly personal day for your child and your loved ones.
The first step is choosing a celebrant who can guide you through creating a ceremony that reflects your family’s values. Humanist Ceremonies naming celebrants are highly trained by Humanists UK. You can find a celebrant local to you by using our find-a-celebrant map.
You will also need to choose a location: a humanist naming ceremony can take place anywhere that feels meaningful to you, whether that’s at your home, in a garden, at a community hall, or even out in the woods.
Consider what elements you’d like to include, such as readings, music, symbolic acts, or contributions from friends and family. Some families choose guideparents or mentors to play a special role in their child’s life, making promises to support them as they grow. Read more about non-religious guide parents here.
Symbolic gestures like planting a tree, sand blending, making a wish tree, or filling a time capsule can add a meaningful touch to the occasion. Many families follow the ceremony with a relaxed gathering, such as a picnic or afternoon tea, to continue the celebrations with their loved ones. Some families choose to have a naming ceremony on their child’s first birthday and include it as part of the wider celebration.
A humanist naming ceremony is a chance to celebrate your child’s arrival with warmth, joy, and togetherness.
