Possible to give an internationally-adopted child a new name?

Question

Is it generally possible (legally and morally) to change a child's first name (last is obvious) when you adopt s/he internationally? I was just wondering, because what if you adopt a little Chinese girl with a name that is difficult or impossible to pronounce in Western society? What about children from other places too?

Does anyone know for sure or have personal experience with this? I am ALL for supporting the child's birth culture and not robbing them of who they are or anything like that. Just wondering about the naming issue. Thanks!

Answer 1

Maybe that when you adopt the kid and s/he is young, then it might be all right to change the name. But otherwise, if the child is much older where s/he could speak and all then yeah you shouldn't change the name. Not unless they may respond to a different name...who knows? But good luck!

Answer 2

If it is a baby, it might be okay. Renaming an older child isn't good though.

Answer 3

You might not have to change it at all. My dad's hunting dog's name was Mohawk Field Scout, but he answered to Zippy. My brother-in-law's legal name was "Baby Boy," but he answered to Jeff (really, his birth certificate wasn't updated with his "given" name until he went into the military!).

A preferred name, or nick-name can be used if you're really not too sure about changing one's given name. However, I'm pretty sure that giving a child a "localized" name would be better on their psyche than to have all of their friends try to pronounce the impossible.

Answer 4

I think the moral and ethical and respectful thing to do is to keep the name.  Maybe work it in as a middle name if needed, but keep it.  Example:  Michelle Chu-Lin Smith.

This shows your child that you honor her birth, her birth family, her heritage, and her.  And that you also named her her 2nd family name (example: Michelle), the name you had always known you would name your daughter, or the girl's name you just love, or the name of your grandmother (her great grandmother), etc.

Answer 5

In the military community I live in there are so many internationally adopted kids, from China and Russia and Ukraine.  Everyone of them that I know gave their babies  new names when they adopted them.  Some of them didn't even have names when they were adopted.  For the rest I think it can be an important part of the bonding process, to pick out the name for your new baby just like any other Mom and Dad would.

Answer 6

My son is from Russia and we gave him another name. He was one when I went over and we came home for his new life. But, I have never held back from him his beginnings. It wasn't easy to do at first because they don't understand the concept for years. But he is 13 and likes his "American version" of his Russian name. That's how we refer to it when it comes up. Good luck to your family and all the happiness you deserve.

Oh, legally you can change name, date of birth,  even place of birth. We left his life intact aside from the new American name. Not replacing the original just translating in a way.

Answer 7

Yes, it is possible. I have two foreign born chldren and I had both of their names changed. Once home to the United States, I readopted my children so that they would have a state birth certificate. (They now have birth certificates from Missouri, but it says they were born in Guatemala). When I did the readoption, I changed their name legally. You do not have to readopt to do this. It is a simple process that a lawyer could easily help you with. As for supporting the child's birth culture, I kept part of their birthname as their middle name.

Good luck on your journey to your child!

Answer 8

i think it would be perfectly fine.

i have a friend who is from china & her name is Jie (G), but she goed by Angie

Answer 9

It is possible to change a child's birth name.  When parents adopt a child, the child is given a new birth certificate.

Many parents choose to change the name to one they prefer or can pronounce.  Many parents choose to 'add on' a preffereable name and also leave thier given name.  

We do no like the name of our son we will be adopting, but we are not going to take away the only thing his mother gave him besides life.  We will call him by a variation of his given name though.

Answer 10

I have an internationally adopted daughter and did not use any of her Chinese name after I adopted her? My reasons were as follows. 1.) most Chinese that come to the US with Chinese names assign themselves with a Western name. 2.) The Chinese language is very tone driven. If you say the word Ma (the Chinese word for mother) with the wrong tone you could be calling your mom a horse. 3) her name was not given to her by her birth parents it was assigned by orphanage staff but not used in her daily activity. She had a nick name that was not even a derivative of her Chinese name. 4.) It is the right of all parents to name their children.

I have friends who gave their children four names: first name, middle name, Chinese name and last name. It works for them but is often very long.

I cannot speak for other countries as I have no experience but it is definitely possible and appropriate to change an internationally adopted child's name.

Answer 11

yes you can legally change there name

Answer 12

I think that changing a baby's name isn't wrong.  I might use the birth name as a middle name, though.

I don't agree with changing an older child's name.

Answer 13

depending on age i guess. over 3 i wouldn't change it, but then again , they may not mind..... cause even when asian people come to the US themselves, they give their selves american names.... how about just add an american name to what they already have and they can choose.

Answer 14

Yes, I know a lot of adoptive parents that have given their internationally adopted children new names.  There is nothing wrong with that.  It is nice to use their birth name as a middle name to connect them with their culture.