The Sami use of names was tied to noaidevuohta. Isack Olsen explains that even before the child was born, the noaidi would begin making offerings for the coming child. The child had to be connected to the spirit world early. Central to this was the goddess Sarahkka, who was honoured among other ways by drinking a toast to her. The baptism was called the Sarahkka baptism, and the female baptiser was the (baptismal mother). When the child was born, it was important to give the child a name that a deceased relative had borne. In this way the deceased came alive again through the child. After the baptism, the child received a name amulet that was meant to protect the child throughout its upbringing.
