cognymation

From the Latin "cogn-" meaning to know or understand, and the Greek "nym-" meaning a name or word, a cognymation is a celebration, ceremony, or other gathering in which a person or thing's name is made known. The meaning of the name is often as important to the cognymation as the name itself.

Cognymations are popular amongst people who change their names for deeply personal reasons. For example, many transgender people choose a new name to reflect their gender. Other people change their names for spiritual or religious reasons.

Regardless of the given person's reasons, a sense of a new beginning often accompanies a name change. This is sometimes marked during a cognymation. Actual procedures and methods vary widely, as cognymations are a relatively new phenomenon in Western cultures.