Naming ceremonies

When families are celebrating the birth of a new baby, they often feel the need to mark the occasion with a gathering of family and close friends. One way that this can be done is by holding a Naming Ceremony.

This provides a dignified and meaningful opportunity to:

• Welcome the child into the family and wider community.

• Announce the names that have been chosen and perhaps give the reasons for those choices.

• Make promises of commitment to nurture and support the child.

• Choose other adults prepared to promise a special supportive relationship to the child.

Individually designed ceremonies are available, giving you choices to make your Naming Ceremony unique and with special meaning to you and your family.

Any parent can arrange a Naming Ceremony – whether married or not. Ceremonies can also be used to welcome adoptive or step-children into the family. The Naming Ceremonies are secular and contain no religious references. Parents who wish to have a religious ceremony should contact their local church.

Each individual ceremony is created by a Celebrant working closely with the parents.

You will have the opportunity to decide who else takes part – children, grandparents, supporting adults. Etc. The ceremony can include readings, music, giving of gifts –the choice is up to you! You will be given a souvenir signed by yourselves and any supporting adults.

The Celebrant who conducts your ceremony will not be acting in an official capacity, even if they usually work as a Registrar. Similarly the Register office or Approved Premise used for the ceremony is designated a private venue for the duration of the ceremony. The ceremony has no legal status.

There is a fee payable for these ceremonies. Please contact East Renfrewshire Council Registration Service for further details or to make a booking.

Eastwood Registration Office: 0141 577 3121
Barrhead Registration Office: 0141 577 3551