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Naming ceremonies

A name can carry meaning, memory, and pride.
It can represent the beginning of a life, the shape of a new family, or the moment someone steps fully into who they truly are.

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At Smartly Said, I create bespoke, heartfelt naming ceremonies across Dorset and Cornwall, for babies, children, and anyone choosing a new name as a powerful act of identity and self-affirmation.


Every ceremony is personal, inclusive, and deeply meaningful.

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Why choose a naming ceremony?

Naming ceremonies offer a beautiful alternative to traditional christenings, warm, personal, and created entirely around the people involved.

 

You might be

  • Welcoming a new baby into your family

  • Celebrating a stepchild joining your home

  • Marking the adoption of a child

  • Affirming your own name and identity as a trans or non-binary person

  • Or simply honouring a name that matters

 

There’s no one reason. No set format. Just space to pause, reflect and celebrate with those who matter most.

Why not a christening?

Christenings are beautiful for families with a strong Christian faith but they’re not for everyone.

 

​Many families today are looking for a ceremony that celebrates their child or chosen name without the religious framework. A naming ceremony gives you;​

 

  • The freedom to shape the tone, spiritual, secular or somewhere in-between

  • A focus on the person, their story, your values, and the people who love them

  • A space that includes everyone, no matter their beliefs, background, or identityIt’s not about replacing tradition.

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​It’s about creating something that feels right for you personal, inclusive, and filled with meaning.

A ceremony that’s truly yours

Whether you’re planning a garden gathering, a living room toast, or a relaxed afternoon at the beach, I’ll help you create a ceremony that’s

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  • Joyful and meaningful

  • Inclusive and sensitive to your values

  • Full of laughter, light, and love

  • Centred around your story, your family, and your community

 

Together, we can include

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  • Symbolic acts like candle lighting or tree planting

  • Words from chosen family and friends

  • Poems, music, or readings

  • Commitments from guide-parents or siblings

  • A formal naming declaration (spoken in any way that feels right)

Affirming identity and chosen names

For many people particularly those in the trans and non-binary communities,  choosing your own name is a powerful, affirming act of self-definition.

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You might want to mark that moment with ceremony. Not for others’ approval, but for your own peace, pride, and sense of presence. A naming ceremony can offer

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  • A milestone to reflect on your journey

  • An act of self-celebration

  • A moment to be witnessed, heard and honoured

  • A space where your name is spoken with love

 

As a queer celebrant, I will hold that space with care, clarity, and deep respect for who you are today.

My naming ceremony service includes:

  • A relaxed planning chat (in person or online)

  • A collaborative process to help shape your ceremony

  • A fully bespoke written script

  • Advice on rituals, readings and creative ideas

  • Delivery of the ceremony on the day (or help with words if you want to lead it yourself)

  • A keepsake script copy, if you’d like one

Let’s create a ceremony that says: “This is who we are.”

Whether you’re welcoming a child, forming a new family, or honouring your identity with pride, I’d be honoured to help you create a naming ceremony that feels authentic, inclusive, and full of heart.

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