Jim Shore Heartwook Creek Angel - Baby
Links to Name Meaning sites
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Paying First Respects - Infant Name-Giving Ceremonies
The arrival of a new baby, uniting of step or adopted children within a family means that there is a chance to pay, as what one celebrant has termed, your “First Respects” to the child or children. A Naming Ceremony is usually secular and in no way replaces or prevents families from holding a Baptism/Christening at any time.
Naming a child is serious business. To some extent, the chosen name might help determine the child's destiny. UNICEF feels so strongly that a name is an important right that it included it under The Convention On The Rights Of The Child. Naming Ceremonies for children are celebrations of this basic human right. They can welcome a child and officially introduce him/her to family and friends. Many cultures and religions have different naming traditions and these are celebrated. Names are usually associated with specific meanings, values and traditions. I usually research and include the name-meanings as part of the ceremony. Recognising Important People
Naming Ceremonies involve the important people in the child's life - family and special friends. Parents have the opportunity to ask other adults to play a supportive role to the child through to adult life (grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, older brothers and sisters, guardians, guideparents / godparents / mentors / supporters).
The Order of Service may include some or all of the following: -Naming ceremonies are a wonderful way to welcome your child and celebrate them as they begin their journey through life. The ceremony is usually one of several parts.
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Other Naming Ceremonies
Anyone at any age, can have a Naming Ceremony. In fact it may be used in conjunction with a marriage, especially if there is a new surname being created or you wish to have recognition of a formal name change.
It may be at times of Family Blending or Adoption, following relationship breakup, reclaiming identity after divorce, following gender change or some other need to change a name. A customised ceremony can be crafted to celebrate your particular circumstances. However, most people think of Naming ceremonies in regard to children. 
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