Naming Day Invitation Wording: Ideas & Examples for an Australian Naming Ceremony

A naming day is one of the loveliest new traditions in Australian family life. It marks the arrival of a child and brings together the people who'll help raise them — without the religious framework of a christening or baptism. If you've decided on a naming ceremony, you've probably discovered the tricky part: most invitation wording guides online are written for church christenings, and they don't quite fit a celebration that's warm, secular and a little more relaxed.

This guide fixes that. Below you'll find ready-to-use naming day invitation wording — grouped by style, written for the way Australian families actually celebrate, and easy to personalise. Borrow a line, mix two together, or use one as a starting point and make it your own.

What to include on a naming day invitation

Before the wording itself, make sure every invitation covers the essentials. Guests should never have to text you to ask a basic question. Include:

• Who you're celebrating — your child's name (and whether it's a surprise reveal on the day).
• The hosts — usually the parents, sometimes "together with their families."
• The occasion — the words "naming day" or "naming ceremony" so guests know what to expect.
• Date and time — spelled out or in figures, whichever suits your tone.
• Place — venue name and address; note if the ceremony and celebration are in two locations.
• RSVP details — a name and a phone number, email, or a link to your online RSVP.
• Any extras — dress code, "no gifts please," or whether children are welcome.

A naming day is far less rigid than a wedding or a church service, so your wording can be as casual or as heartfelt as you like. The examples below cover the full range.

Warm & modern wording

The most popular style for Australian naming days — friendly, joyful, and a little informal.

"We've named our little one! Please join [Parents' names] as we celebrate the naming day of [Child's name] on [date] at [time], [venue]. Come for love, laughter and a long lunch. RSVP to [contact] by [date]."

"[Child's name] has arrived — and now it's official! Come and celebrate our naming day with food, drinks and good company. [Date] | [Time] | [Venue]. Let us know you're coming: [contact]."

"Together with our families, we'd love you to join us as we welcome [Child's name] and celebrate their naming day. [Date], [time], at [venue]. RSVP [contact]."

Short & simple wording

Ideal if you're texting, emailing, or working with a clean, minimalist invitation design where space is tight.

"You're invited to [Child's name]'s naming day. [Date] · [Time] · [Venue]. RSVP [contact]."

"Join us to celebrate and name [Child's name]. [Date] at [time], [venue]. Reply to [contact] by [date]."

Heartfelt & gently spiritual wording

For families who want warmth and meaning without religious language — a popular middle ground for naming ceremonies.

"Surrounded by the people we love most, we will give our child their name and make our promises to guide them. Please join us for [Child's name]'s naming day on [date] at [time], [venue]."

"With hearts full of gratitude, we invite you to witness [Child's name]'s naming ceremony and to share in the love that will help them grow. [Date], [time], [venue]. RSVP [contact]."

Wording that mentions godparents or guide parents

Many secular families appoint "guide parents," "guardians" or "special friends" instead of godparents — the same loving role, without the religious title. If you'd like to honour them on the invitation:

"Please join us as we name [Child's name] and welcome [Names] as their guide parents — the special people who'll help light the way. [Date], [time], [venue]. RSVP [contact]."

An Australian note on tone and timing

Australian naming days tend to be relaxed, outdoor-friendly and built around a shared meal — a backyard, a park, a function room, or the family home. Your invitation can reflect that. If it's an outdoor celebration, it's worth adding a line like "weather permitting — we'll move indoors if it rains" and noting whether there's shade, since our summers don't pull any punches.

On timing: aim to send naming day invitations four to six weeks before the day. If a lot of guests are travelling interstate, stretch that to six to eight weeks, or send a quick save-the-date first. That gives people time to plan without the invitation getting lost on the fridge for two months.

Choosing your naming day invitations

Once you've settled on the wording, the design should match the mood — soft and playful for a baby, fresh and modern for a relaxed garden gathering. At Paper Divas, our christening and naming ceremony invitation range is designed to suit secular naming days just as beautifully as religious christenings: you can edit any design's wording, add a photo of your little one, and personalise the colours to suit your celebration. Every order is printed in Currumbin, Queensland and dispatched within three working days, with free shipping on orders over $65 and matching thank you cards, gift tags and seals to tie the whole occasion together.

Order a sample pack first if you'd like to feel the card stock and see the print quality before you commit — it's the easiest way to be sure your invitations are exactly right for welcoming your little one by name.