What's Your Name

"What's your name, little girl,
what's your name?
Shootin' you straight, little girl,
for there ain't no shame.
What's your name, little girl,
what's your name?"
- Lynyrd Skynyrd


Today we attended a friend's baptism of their 3 month old girl. Held in the Helsingin Tuomiokirkko (a.k.a. Helsinki Cathedral), friends and family filled the church as the child was not only welcomed into the Lutheran faith, but her name was also revealed. It is a very common Finnish tradition to keep a baby's name secret until the Christening or naming ceremony. This superstition dates back to ancient beliefs that supernatural influences may cause harm to their infant. But once the child is christened, then they are protected. Others feel as if saying the child's name before baptism is bad luck. And there is the belief that the child's name is not used, because it has not been "given" yet. Until the baptism or naming ceremony takes place, the child is referred to as a nickname such as Peanut, Bump, Strawberry, etc.




We began the day playing on the Cathedral's stairs, hoping it would tire out the boys. Unfortunately, once we went inside they enjoyed the new scenery and got a second wind. After a few games of chase in the pews, crayons and stickers covering the program, and a handful of matchbox cars (along with car sounds) raced on the seats, the ceremony ended.





We then walked a few blocks to the reception where we were all pumped with coffee and sugar from some wonderful Finnish pastries.