What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
christening
Example
The family gathered at the church for the christening of their newborn baby. [christening: noun]
Example
The priest will christen the baby with holy water during the ceremony. [christen: verb]
naming
Example
They had a difficult time deciding on the naming of their new pet dog. [naming: gerund]
Example
The parents are considering different options for naming their baby. [naming: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Naming is more commonly used than christening in everyday language. Naming is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while christening is more specific to religious ceremonies.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between christening and naming?
While christening is typically associated with a formal and ceremonial tone, naming can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing for more flexibility in its usage.
