I have been hearing lots of discussion in the chat rooms I frequent regarding naming a child who comes home through international adoption. Seems that some people feel that if the child is an infant, then it's okay to rename the child, but if they're old enough to know their name, then it's not okay.

I'm not too sure that I agree with that.

Now, considering that I am adopting from foster care, my views may not be considered popular, but I still do want to share what I feel about this.

I have a friend, S, who is adopting from Ethiopia. She already has a name picked out, but is always queried about WHY she wants to rename the child... you know... why not celebrate the child's culture by keeping their birth given name?

Well, I feel that a name is just that. A name. The celebration of the culture of the child is just that. A name is special when it is given by the child's parents... the ones raising them.

I do, however, feel it IS the responsibility of the parents to let the child know and be as much a part of their culture as possible. But a name should not be the only hint of the culture the child has.

To me, experiencing the culture is letting them be actively involved in things that relate to their heritage... what makes them feel good and special in regards to themselves.

Renaming a child does not deny them their culture. It is giving them what they need to help them fit in here, in their own new country... be it the United States, Great Britain, Canada... wherever!

For those of you who are considering renaming or not... possibly keep the birth name as their middle name? Or make their name part of the first name?

It's easier to do in countries with names similar to English names... such as adopting a Russian child named Natasha. Natasha is a name that is beautiful, and part of the Russian culture.

Some names I cannot even pronounce from other countries... and they are JUST as special... but just revere the child, let them know where they came from and who they are, and then, in my opinion, everything else will work itself out.

Until Tonight,
Storm