Naming Ceremony Guide: A Non-Religious Alternative to a Christening

In short: A naming ceremony is a non-religious way to welcome a child and formally mark their name, with the same spirit as a christening but no religious content. There are no fixed rules, which is the appeal. You can hold it anywhere, write it yourself or use a celebrant, and appoint guideparents in place of godparents. This guide covers how to plan one.

Not every family wants a religious ceremony, but plenty still want to mark a new arrival properly, gather everyone together, and give the child’s name a moment of ceremony. A naming ceremony does exactly that, without the church. It has grown steadily in popularity in the UK as families look for something meaningful that fits their own beliefs, or lack of them.

Because it sits outside any religious tradition, there are no rules to follow, which is both liberating and slightly daunting. This guide gives you a structure to work from.

What a naming ceremony is

A naming ceremony is a celebration that welcomes a child, formally acknowledges their name, and marks the commitment of parents and chosen mentors to their upbringing. It carries the emotional weight of a christening without any religious element.

It is a celebration rather than an official process, so registering the birth remains a separate matter, and GOV.UK sets out how and when that is done. The ceremony itself can be shaped however the family wishes, which is precisely the point.

Naming ceremonies are not only for babies. Some families hold them for older children, for adopted children, for step-families coming together, or for children who were born before the parents decided how they wanted to mark it. The flexibility is the whole point.

How it differs from a christening

The similarities are obvious, so the differences are worth being clear on.

A christening is a religious ceremony, usually held in a church and conducted by a member of the clergy, welcoming the child into the Christian faith. A naming ceremony has no religious content, can be held anywhere, and can be conducted by a celebrant, a registrar in some areas, or simply by the parents themselves.

Godparents, with their religious role, are replaced by an informal equivalent, often called guideparents, supporting adults, or mentors. These are people the parents ask to play a lasting role in the child’s life, without any of the religious expectations attached to godparents. If you would prefer the religious version, our christening guide covers that.

Who conducts it

You have real choice here, unlike a christening.

Many families use a professional celebrant, who will help write and lead a personal ceremony. Celebrant organisations, Humanists UK among them, list people who lead non-religious ceremonies, and their websites explain what each celebrant offers and what they charge. A celebrant can take the pressure off by shaping the day and running it on the day itself.

Some local councils offer naming ceremonies led by a registrar, often in the same rooms used for weddings, so it is worth checking what your own council offers. And there is nothing to stop a parent, grandparent or close friend leading it themselves, which many families prefer for its personal feel. Whoever leads it, the content is entirely yours to decide.

What happens in the ceremony

There is no set order, but most naming ceremonies include a few common elements.

A welcome and introduction, explaining why everyone has gathered. Words from the parents about their hopes for the child and the meaning behind the chosen name. The formal naming itself, the moment the child’s name is spoken and celebrated. The appointment of guideparents, who may make a short promise. Readings or poems chosen by the family. And often a symbolic gesture, planting a tree, lighting candles, a wishing tree where guests write messages, or a time capsule to be opened when the child is older.

Keep it to twenty or thirty minutes. It should feel like a moment rather than a service, and a shorter, heartfelt ceremony lands better than a long one.

Readings and words

Because there is no liturgy, the readings are yours to choose, and this is where a naming ceremony becomes personal.

Families often choose poems about childhood, nature or hope, passages from favourite children’s books, or words written specially by a relative. Something read by a grandparent, or a letter to the child to be kept and given to them later, adds real warmth. There are plenty of published collections of non-religious readings, and a celebrant will have suggestions, but the most affecting choices are usually the personal ones.

Where to hold it

Anywhere you like, which is one of the great advantages.

Naming ceremonies are held at home, in gardens, in village halls, in hotels, in registry office rooms, or outdoors somewhere that means something to the family. The setting can be as relaxed or as formal as you want. A garden gathering in summer is a popular choice, weather permitting, and lends itself to the symbolic tree-planting element.

Match the venue to the size of your guest list and the tone you want, and remember that the informality is a feature, not a compromise.

Wording for the invitation

Warm and clear, without the formality a christening invitation sometimes carries.

We’d love you to join us for Ada’s naming ceremony on Saturday 20 June at 2pm, at ours, followed by food and drinks in the garden. Come and help us welcome her properly. RSVP by 30 May.

A slightly more formal version:

You are warmly invited to celebrate the naming of Oscar Reid on Sunday 12 July at 12 noon at the Old Barn, with lunch to follow. Please let us know if you can join us by 20 June.

If you are appointing guideparents and want them to know in advance:

Join us to welcome baby Mabel and celebrate her name on Saturday 5 September, 3pm at home. We’ll be naming her guideparents and would love you there. RSVP by 15 August.

Gifts

Gift etiquette mirrors a christening, leaning towards keepsakes and things that last.

Personalised gifts, a keepsake to mark the day, a children’s book, a planted tree, or a contribution towards the child’s future all suit the occasion. As with a christening, many families ask for contributions towards savings for the child instead of physical gifts, which fits the forward-looking spirit of a naming ceremony well.

Keep any gift request light and optional:

Please don’t feel you need to bring anything. If you’d like to mark the day, we’re putting contributions towards Ada’s future.

A shared pot is the easiest way to gather that, and you can set one up on Planiit with amounts kept private. Our guide to asking for money instead of presents has more wording.

Making it easy to organise

A digital invitation suits a naming ceremony, letting you set the tone, share the details and track replies in one place.

On Planiit you create the invitation, share it by WhatsApp or text, and guests RSVP from the same link. If you are collecting towards a savings gift or splitting the cost of the day, you can do that in the same place, with contributions handled by Stripe and kept private.

Common questions

What is a naming ceremony? A non-religious celebration that welcomes a child and formally marks their name, with the emotional spirit of a christening but no religious content. It is a celebration rather than an official process, and can be shaped entirely by the family.

How is a naming ceremony different from a christening? A christening is religious, held in a church and led by clergy. A naming ceremony has no religious content, can be held anywhere, and can be led by a celebrant, a registrar or the parents themselves.

Who can conduct a naming ceremony? A professional celebrant, a registrar in some council areas, or a parent, relative or friend. Celebrant organisations list people who lead non-religious ceremonies, and the content is entirely up to the family whoever leads it.

What happens at a naming ceremony? Usually a welcome, words from the parents, the formal naming, the appointment of guideparents, readings chosen by the family, and often a symbolic gesture such as planting a tree. It typically lasts twenty to thirty minutes.

What do you call godparents at a naming ceremony? There is no fixed term, but “guideparents”, “supporting adults” or “mentors” are common. They play a lasting role in the child’s life without the religious expectations attached to godparents.

What gifts suit a naming ceremony? Keepsakes and lasting gifts, such as personalised items, a children’s book or a planted tree. Many families ask for contributions towards the child’s savings, which fits the forward-looking spirit of the day.

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Create a free naming ceremony invitation, set the tone and collect towards a gift at planiit.io.