Alternative to "Godparents"

[Seekrit]

Husband and I are in a strange situation, where I'm agnostic, leanign towards being an atheist and he's quite Christian.
I'm not really comfortable with the term "Godparent" and the old fashioned values it represents.
We have very very close friends who would be "godparents" if I liked that word and if they wanted to be. But a while back we were discussing any alternative names for it.
Of course there's "Aunty and Uncle" and that's cool, that's what they'll be, but I was just wondering what others of the same opinion and faith (or lack there of) have come up with :)

[Odessa]

Interesting topic, I like the whole godparent idea, but without the religious involvement...and aunty and uncle are a little different...I'll google it :)

Here's an interesting link: http://www.babycenter.com/dilemma/baby/babyritual/1412294.html

The general consensus appears to be that if you aren't baptising your baby, formal godparents aren't "necessary"

[Seekrit]

Interesting topic, I like the whole godparent idea, but without the religious involvement...and aunty and uncle are a little different...I'll google it :)
you said what I wanted to... but in one short sentence. Nice :D

[reAllytee]

How about life guides ?
Im pondering calling them that as my cousin who is a minister is "blessing" bubs so i thought its silly to have godparents also.

[Baby Girl]

DD1'S 'godfather' calls her his precious girl and she calls him lovely uncle.

We referred to them during the ceremony as her spiritual guides (took some convincing for the priest to put that one in). I am not really religious and DP's family are very catholic. So they call them godparents we call them special carers or spiritual guides. DD1 calls them lovely uncle and lovely johneen (janine).

[Funkychicken]

My DD has a Faerie Godmother! My dear friend came to her birth and practised Reiki and massage on me during labour, so we felt it fitted to have her as a special person in her life and being a faerie godmother sounded right. Plus we all think it is cute!!

[Bron]

I have friends whose little boy had a naming ceremony rather than a christening. He has "mentors" rather than godparents, which I think is a very touching concept. Adult people who will know you and love you all your life and will help you and guide you. If you are uncomfortable with the name godparent, but like the concept, this is a good option.

Bron

[Cheekychops]

godparents are mostly done in certain churches i think like church of england or something - i really have no idea, but it's not one i know much. we have a goddaughter cause it meant a lot to her father for us to be called that, but our kids don't have godparents. you could really call it anything you like and who knows you might start a new trend. what about something like.....

careparents (or carents heehee)
supportparents
loveparents

i don't know really - you could call them anything