Would you change your adopted childs name?

Question

I know many people whom when adopting an infant out of foster care or from another country will change the child's name. I have also met some people who have adopted an older child and, with the childs understanding/consent, and sometimes excitement, will change the child's name. Some kids who have had rought backgrounds find this experience to be their new start on life.

But what about all the other times? When a child is 2, 3, or 4 and knows their name, but you want to change it. It is foreign and hard to pronounce, you want to distance them from the name for emotional reasons, or you feel that it doesnt fit the child or your family. Do you legally change the childs name, or just give them a nickname and use it instead. Do you wait untill they are old enough to make the decision themselves?

Just curiosity, more than anything; I was adopted and am hoping to adopt.

Answer 1

My neighbours have adopted their daughter from Ethiopia a few years ago. She was quite old when she came here (I'd say around 8) but they call her Cassidy now which is clearly not an Ethiopian name... but she seems happy.

Answer 2

We have adopted our youngest daughter from Russia when she was 7 years old and we did change her first name from Olga to Rachel Abigail.  We did this for religious reasons: as a Roman Catholic family, faith is a fundamental part of our daily lives.  Our daughter came in the house of God from an orphanage where she had no religious life.  Changing her name was thus incumbent for her to begin her rebirth as a Catholic and as a member of our family.