Naming Ritual

The Naming Ritual is a ritual performed by the Nora tribe, to give infants born into the tribe a name. It is witnessed in the opening cutscene of Horizon Zero Dawn, when Rost speaks Aloy's name for the first time. It takes place when an infant is six months old, and is the first time the child is given a name; prior to that, it is assumed the child is nameless.

Ceremony

The ritual is conducted on the overlook of All-Mother Mountain, high above the valley. Although Rost took a very long and arduous path to get to the overlook, it is possible that there is a main route to get to there through the village, which Rost would have been forbidden to enter as an Outcast.

The ceremony appears to take place at sunrise. As Rost later describes to a young Aloy, the entire village attends the ceremony, which is led by one or more High Matriarchs. The infant is given a paint mark on their face, presumably a straight line across their forehead as Aloy receives. The mother, with her child, stands at the edge of the overlook as the High Matriarchs speak to All-Mother, and as the sun rises above the mountains, the mother declares the child's name.

The small ceremony Rost and Teersa perform for Aloy is very different from the normal ritual. It is Rost who declares Aloy's name, with only Teersa present to bless the naming.

Trivia

• The Naming Ritual has similarities to various religious practices in the 21st century. Much like the Nora naming, these ceremonies are often symbolic of the child being accepted into a (religious) community and the ceremonies are usually attended by family members and friends.
  • In Christianity, infant baptism occurs when a child is usually several months old, and often they are given a Christian name which the Church recognizes them by.
  • In Hinduism, naming a baby is a sacred ritual called Namakarana and occurs at least 12 days after the birth
  • In Islamic tradition, on the seventh day after birth, the baby is given a name chosen by the mother and father; the name is usually an Islamic name with a positive or sacred meaning.
  • In Jewish tradition, boys are named on the eighth day after birth at a brit malah (the same ceremony where circumcision is performed) and girls are named within the first two weeks.

• It is unknown who would perform the ceremony should the mother die between the child's birth and the naming ceremony.
  • It is possible that either the High Matriarchs or whomever is caring for the child declares the name.