Practical Bokmål with English translations
Norwegian Naming Celebration and Christening Phrases
Find a greeting that matches the occasion, understand an invitation and ask about the celebration. Learn the difference between navnefest and dåp, then add the Bokmål examples once for gradual practice and review.
What is the difference between navnefest and dåp?
Navnefest is a naming celebration; dåp is baptism, often called a christening when a child is baptised. They are different occasions. For a naming celebration, say Gratulerer med navnefesten! For a christening, say Gratulerer med dåpsdagen! Both congratulate the family on the occasion.
Learn these words and phrases over time
Includes all five sections below. A free account is needed.
Words and phrases
The occasion and its greeting
Match the word to the event named by the family.
English
a naming celebration
Norwegian
en navnefest
English
a christening (baptism)
Norwegian
en dåp
English
Congratulations on the naming celebration!
Norwegian
Gratulerer med navnefesten!
English
Congratulations on the christening day!
Norwegian
Gratulerer med dåpsdagen!
English
We wish the child all the best for the future.
Norwegian
Vi ønsker barnet alt godt for fremtiden.
English
Thank you for letting us share this day with you.
Norwegian
Takk for at vi får dele denne dagen med dere.
Words and phrases
Invitations and replies
Use the right ceremony name when inviting or replying.
English
We would like to invite you to a naming celebration.
Norwegian
Vi vil gjerne invitere dere til navnefest.
English
We would like to invite you to a christening.
Norwegian
Vi vil gjerne invitere dere til dåp.
English
Thank you for the invitation. We would love to come.
Norwegian
Takk for invitasjonen. Vi kommer gjerne.
English
Unfortunately, we cannot come to the celebration.
Norwegian
Dessverre kan vi ikke komme i selskapet.
English
Can we bring the children?
Norwegian
Kan vi ta med barna?
English
We are looking forward to meeting the little one.
Norwegian
Vi gleder oss til å møte den lille.
Words and phrases
People and ceremony words
Recognise roles and items, including vocabulary specific to a christening.
English
the child being celebrated
Norwegian
barnet som blir feiret
English
the parents
Norwegian
foreldrene
English
the ceremony leader
Norwegian
seremonilederen
English
a godparent (at a christening)
Norwegian
en fadder
English
a christening gown
Norwegian
en dåpskjole
English
a commemorative naming plaque
Norwegian
en navnetavle
Words and phrases
Practical questions for guests
Check arrangements with the hosts rather than assuming a fixed format.
English
Where will the ceremony take place?
Norwegian
Hvor skal seremonien være?
English
When should we arrive?
Norwegian
Når bør vi komme?
English
Will there be food after the ceremony?
Norwegian
Blir det mat etter seremonien?
English
Where can we leave the pram?
Norwegian
Hvor kan vi sette barnevognen?
English
Is it okay to take photos?
Norwegian
Er det greit å ta bilder?
English
Would you like us to bring anything?
Norwegian
Vil dere at vi skal ta med noe?
Words and phrases
Messages after the celebration
Thank the family or, as a host, thank guests for coming.
English
Thank you for a lovely naming celebration.
Norwegian
Takk for en hyggelig navnefest.
English
Thank you for a lovely christening celebration.
Norwegian
Takk for en hyggelig dåpsfeiring.
English
It was lovely to meet the family.
Norwegian
Det var hyggelig å møte familien.
English
Thank you for coming to celebrate our child.
Norwegian
Takk for at dere kom for å feire barnet vårt.
English
Thank you for the lovely gift.
Norwegian
Takk for den fine gaven.
English
We are glad you could be there.
Norwegian
Vi er glade for at dere kunne være med.
Usage notes
A humanist naming celebration welcomes a child without a baptism. A christening has a Christian meaning. Use the name on the invitation rather than substituting one ceremony for the other. Families can also arrange their own naming celebrations.
En fadder means a godparent or baptismal sponsor in the christening examples. The word also has other meanings, such as a student buddy, so it is not a universal translation for a special adult in a child’s life. Ask about that person’s role if you are unsure. Navnefest is not a birthday or a name day (navnedag).
References for the terminology and context: Human-Etisk Forbund: humanist naming celebrations. Church of Norway: planning a baptism and the role of godparents. Bokmålsordboka: dåp. Bokmålsordboka: fadder.
Practise a conversation
Choose either a naming celebration or a christening. Write a greeting with the correct occasion, then add a wish for the child. Rehearse accepting the invitation and asking one practical question. Keep the two ceremony names distinct as you practise.
You can add the whole guide for ongoing learning; Learnalist introduces its cards gradually and brings them back for review. Use these examples to rehearse today's situation whenever you need them.