Seeing as Boris Johnson is about to contest the Conservative Leadership, perhaps it’s only fitting that his name  means “to fight”. He will definitely have a fight on his hands to even win the party leadership but that will pale into insignificance if he becomes Prime Minister and has to attempt to unite both the country and his party as well as negotiating a decent exit from the EU.

I have no idea whether Mr and Mrs Johnson even knew what Boris meant when they named their baby but would it have been important to them if they had? Does it even matter what we are called as long as we’re not called late for dinner?

Genuine, bold and brave?

When Megan and Harry settled on Archie for their baby son, there was a mixed reaction. Even on Facebook I noticed some people protesting that, although it was a decent enough name for a “normal” child, it just wouldn’t do for a member of Royalty.  As it happens Archie means genuine, bold or brave so it would be fitting if the new addition to the Mountbatten-Windsor household could live up to that billing.  It would be even better if Boris could!

Without stating the obvious, our names are vitally important to us. It is one of the few constants that we have throughout our lives. We answer to that name, we live up to that name. Our name is our brand and our identity and it’s important to us that people remember it and use it properly.

Why did Richard become Dick?

One common annoyance is people assuming that others are happy to have their name shortened or lengthened. When you think about it, it’s the height of rudeness and arrogance to assume that an Alison wants to be called Ally or a Benjamin is happy to be reduced to Ben. Those two short forms might be fairly obvious but have you ever wondered why Richard became Dick or Williams were known as Bill?

It’s a simple case of the age old habit of choosing rhyming words. Richard was short for Rick which rhymed with Dick. William was Will or Willy which became Bill or Billy.  I suppose Billy was preferable to Willy but I’m not so sure whether Rick was happy to become Dick.

Equally frustrating is the habit some people have of lengthening your name or deciding to call you by, what they consider, your proper moniker before promptly choosing the wrong option. For the record, I’m a Joanne and not Joanna or Josephine but actually Jo suits me just fine thank you very much.

Don’t call me Fiona

I have a friend who has recently chosen to change her name. She was a Theresa and known by all and sundry (whoever sundry are) as Tess. However, she’s recently converted herself to Claire as she feels that it fits her better. I might have done the same had my mum got her own way and managed to christen me Fiona. I don’t look at all like a Fiona and, even though I didn’t know it at the time, had great cause to be grateful for my dad’s intervention.

The only reason I know what Fionas look like is because of the blonde, petit and feminine Fiona I knew at school. On reflection, I’ve known plenty of fuller figured, frumpy, pinafore-dress wearing  Fionas but to me the name will always be synonymous with the first Fiona I ever knew. And that’s where your name becomes your brand. We associate particular names with certain people and then almost judge them accordingly.

Welcome to the House of God

Traditionally the naming of a child was a community led affair where the whole village or tribe turned out to welcome the new addition to their clan. With Christianity came the ritual of christening a child, or welcoming him or her into the house of God.

I can still remember feeling very overwhelmed when some good friends asked me to be a Godmother to their little boy. However, I soon felt rather underwhelmed when what should have been a precious and personal service instead became nothing more than over a dozen babies and thirty or forty associated Godparents being rounded up for a mass christening. I recall a similar situation when my nephew was christened although in his case all six babies baptized that day during the normal Sunday service were called Matthew!

Baby naming ceremonies

In recent years Baby Naming or Welcoming services have gained some popularity for those who are not church goers or who would like a more bespoke service. These services can take place in the venue of your choice and even in your own garden should you have the space and feel confident enough about the weather.

As a qualified civil celebrant, I am able to conduct a totally personal service for you and your child or children. You can choose God Parents or Supporting Adults who might make a pledge or say a few words about their responsibilities. The celebrant would create a script which will reflect your views on parenthood and culminate in the naming of the baby.

A day to treasure

While the traditional definition of a nuclear family still exists there are so many more alternatives these days, but one thing remains constant. The birth of a new child or the arrival of an adopted child into a family, is something to be celebrated and treasured. Why not choose to do this by gathering together those closest to you and honouring their birth and their name with a service that reflects just how important they are?

For more information on Baby Naming and Welcoming Ceremonies please see my website at www.silverfernceremonies.co.uk