How do you feel about changing adopted kids' names?

Question

Especially if they come with really weird names?

Answer 1

It would depend on how old they are. If they are under two then maybe if it was really weird otherwise I would just make up a nickname.

Answer 2

It depends on how weird the names are, how the child feels about the name, and what this child aspires to be when s/he grows up. Some names come with extra teasing. Some names can cause a resume to be passed up. Some names makes one wonder what the parents were thinking when they filled out their child's birth certificate!

Another important factor is age. If you're planning to adopt an infant who probably won't remember being called by their birth name, it shouldn't be a problem. However, a toddler to an early elementary schooler may have some serious issues: They're old enough to know their name, but probably not old enough to understand why they're being called something else all of the sudden. Once they're older though, they should be included in the decision of whether or not to change their names, including what the new name (if any) will be.

I myself am planning to adopt older kids. (school aged, possibly teenagers) they will obviously have a name and most likely very strong feelings about it. When we talk about changing their last name to ours, I will probably mention that if they ever thought about changing their first name, now would be a great chance.

Answer 3

It's one thing to change the last name to make them feel like they are part of the family...but I think it is mean to change the first name esp. if they are old enough to know their name. It's not like getting a new pet, people KNOW their names at a very early age! I think that it is an AWFUL thing to do to a kid (unless they hate their name too!)

Answer 4

It is alright, as long as the child says it is okay. If they wish you keep their name, alow them to do so, but if they do not much care, changing would be fine.

Answer 5

I for one agree on changing a kid's name when they are adopted. Perhaps move their first name to their middle name and select a new first name.  Why would anyone want to keep the name, just makes it easier for them to be located ei school records and such.

Answer 6

lol the wording need a little work. but i think it is perfectly acceptable to change the child's name although i like the idea of keeping the original first name as the middle name to honor there birth origin weather it be another country or just a birth parent.

Answer 7

I adopted my daughter from China when she was 11 months old...I gave her a given name (actually hebrew) but actually changed her Chinese name to one I liked better and use THAT as her middle name...The names are just assigned by the orphanage in China, and really have no meaning or relevance to the child...Her given/Hebrew name is "Shira" which means song/little song and the Chinese name I gave her means the same as her given name...

Answer 8

I also believe it depends on how old they are.  We have two foster children in our house now and it looks like we are going to adopt both of them (their parents still have some rights left) and the older one, we will change his middle and last name, the baby...we will change all of it, just because he will be too young to remember.

Answer 9

I 100% agree with it, if the child is very young it should be fine, if they are older maybe they want to change their name, then they can help pick it out for instance if they  were named Porsche or ford, or Eggo, then maybe they want to change it you know, we are currently fostering an infant and IF the day comes that she becomes Ours we will be changing her name, one important thing that parents can do wether it is through adoption or conception

Answer 10

Depends really on how the adoptive parents feel, how old the child is, and if you knew the parents.

My mother adoted my brother and his name is Joey not Joesph just Joey but my mom was really good friends with his biological mom so she didn't change it.

My mother adopted my sister and my dad couldn't pronounce her middle name so when he always used to yell for her to come downstairs he would yell her name then make up a middle name which usually was Josephine. So when we adopted her we changed her middle name to Josephine she was already 15 and wanted to change it since her middle name was her biological's father's first name.

If the child is like 3 or 4 it may be hard to change their name but not immpossible. You are the parent now you can choose the name.

However, I completely am against changing a child's race.

Now on the birth certificate you can "choose" to have the child the same race as you if you want. For example this African American couple I knew adopted a baby girl from Korea and changed her race to African American so now on all her tests in school and things she is considered "African American" although she is obviously Korean by looking at her. In my opinion you should not be allows to do that. That is stupid.

Adopting is a rewarding wonderful experience kudos to you if you are a adopting!

Answer 11

this is kinda hard... i guess it would depend on how old the child is. the older the child is, the hard it would be. however, on the other hand if the child is young, you wouldn't want to add to them already being scared from being in a new place (if this is a newly adopted kid).

i would say talk to the child and say different names and ask him/her if she/he would like that for a new name. tell him/her that since he/she has a new parent, wouldn't he/she like to have a new name????

Answer 12

As a parent that recently adopted a 3 year old boy from Thailand, I would say give them an American name. In fact, when we went in front of the Thai Government for our interview, and blessing to adopt our child, they asked us what his new American name would be. They recommended changing his birth name to an American name just to keep from getting "teased" later on in life.

   However, we did keep his "birth name" as his middle name, just so he still has the roots back to his homeland. The Thai government was very pleased we kept his birth name as his middle name.

Answer 13

I would not change childrens names given by the biological parents, but if they were given by foster parents, orphanages, etc I would change it provided that the child was old enough to consent to it.  Otherwise I would wait until they are old enough to consent.  

Even strange names, you could make up a nickname or simply call them by a name that you would like to call them.

I'd leave any names given by the biological parents intact simply for respect purposes towards the people who brought the child into the world, no matter what the parents were like.  When the child is old enough, they can legally have their name changed if it is something that they'd rather not go by.

Answer 14

why would u that's about the only thing that's really theirs so don't take it away