A Naming day is a joyous and celebratory event where a child is welcomed into their own family and community.

A Naming day does not have any legal requirements so there is no end of possibilities.

A child can be welcomed into this world in so many ways.

Often a tree is planted in the child's honour. A song is sung by a close friend. A child's guardian can speak on what they wish for the child's life and give the child a hope token.

A Naming ceremony can often link us to our ancestral past.

In a particularly moving naming ceremony the child's grandmother was invited to speak about her sister who the child had been named after. It was a very powerful experience to hear about the life of the grandmother's sister and see photos of her through various stages of her life. This woman had been deceased for many years but her presence was keenly felt on that day, through the naming of the child and the words spoken in honour of her spirited life's journey.

Traditionally Naming days are centered around a child who is new born or still very young.

Many people believe they have missed the opportunity of having their child named as they think their child too old for such an event.

In my experience there is great value in having a naming ceremony for an older child.

It can be an extraordinarily powerful event for an older child to be cherished and honoured in such a public way. An older child can remember the event and take the experience and memory with them into their adult life.

We want our children to know that they are loved. That they are respected and heard. We wish them to flourish on their own life journey. A Naming day can bring these deep and heartfelt desires into the light of day.