Civil naming ceremony

Civil naming ceremonies have no legal character and instead confer moral obligations to the parents and godparents.

[2][3] It fell out of practice in the 19th century, but restarted in 1892 by the socialist commune of Saint-Denis, in order to reduce the influence of religion on children.

This is a modern commercial innovation by register offices and local councils; naming ceremonies originated in the work of humanist celebrants to invent a meaningful secular alternative to religious baptisms and christenings.

In France, republican baptisms are performed by an elected French local government official, usually the mayor[5] at the town hall free of charge.

The purpose of the bill is to create a standardised procedure throughout France and to give republican baptisms a legal framework so that "in the case of a breakdown, [parents can] be supplemented by godparents and in any case, that they will take part in contributing to the development of the indispensable qualities in a child's character which will allow him/her to become a citizen devoted to the public good, driven by the feelings of fraternity, understanding and respect for the liberty and solidarity of his/her peers.

Civil baptisms are carried out by local government officials on the will of the celebrants and confer a moral obligation.