Welcoming a New Soul Into the World... With or Without a Name

A name is powerful. It is the first gift we give a child, a word that will follow them through their entire life, carry part of their identity, and connect them to the people and stories that shaped them. But a name is not always ready when a child arrives. And that is not only fine, it is, in many traditions, entirely intentional, because what we are really gathering for is not a name. We are gathering for a life. A welcoming ceremony is an invitation to pause and say a new soul has arrived, and we are here to meet them. Before the name is chosen, before the world rushes in, there is a moment to hold this new life in community, in love, and in the place they have been born into. That moment is worth marking. Across cultures and throughout history, communities have always found ways to honour an arriving spirit before they are named. Across cultures, childbirth is revered as a sacred event: these practices serve not only to honour the birth itself but also to integrate the newborn into the community, serving to reinforce cultural identity, transmit values, and provide psychological support to families, all while celebrating the miracle of life itself.

Family and community play a vital role in these ceremonies, providing support and guidance to the newborn and their parents. The birth of a child is not just a personal event, but a communal one, involving the participation of family, friends, and community members.

As a celebrant, what moves me most about welcoming ceremonies is their generosity. What we create together is shaped around your family, your people, and the feeling you want this child to carry with them from the very beginning. A ceremony that says, before anything else: you are seen, you are loved, and you will not walk this alone is one of the most special gifts for our children.