[pequele]

do they have last names in the orphanage too?

Originally Posted by britfish

Often times in Russian the children are named by a staff member at the hospital or orphanage. The names often don't carry any birth family connection or meaning. I certainly wouldn't describe changing a child/infants name as "sad". JMO

[waitinginnj]

The children have full names. First, Patronyc (spelling?) and last. Many of the names are their names from their birthparents. If not, they are given names by the hospital or orphanage, depending upon the situation.

[Vicki H]

We actually went off our son's middle name which in his case (and in most) come from the biological father.
His biological father's name is Alexey, Alex's middle name was Alexeyowich (sp) I don't have the paperwork in front of me.

We changed it to Alexander since I thought he could get teased with Alexey since it sounds kind of girlie, since I know many girls called this as a nickname.

The funny thing is, Alexander was on the top of our list of boy names anyway.

His first name was Andrey, I liked it, but I just liked Alexander more and they called him Sasha anyway so I don't think he really didn't respond to Andrey anyway.

Vicki

[erickk]

We renamed our first son (no one ever pronounced his name correctly) but did not rename our 2nd son--hard to mispronounce his name--but people still do it. We have told our older son if he ever wants to change it back we would be happy to do it.

[mikeintexas]

We did rename our daughter though only slightly... her Russian name was Yulia and we "Americanized" it to Julia. We also changed the middle and (obviously) the last name too. Our daughter was named by a nurse at the hospital (as someone mentioned earlier) but did receive the last name of the birth mother.

I really think it's a personal choice, but if you would like to change it, there shouldn't be anything stopping you from doing it. In some cases, the kids want to "fit in" and often times a new name does that.

Just my opinion though...

[MominPA]

Our first son was named by his birthmother, but he was not called that name in the baby house. They used a nickname. He was 19 months old when we adopted him.

Our second son was presumably name by his birthmother. Since he was a foundling and there was a note attach to him saying his name is, but no last name was given. He is 3 years old and we changed his name from Vasiliy to Adam. Vasiliy translated to Basil. At the baby house they did use his actual name.

He does recognize his new name and we have dropped using is Russian name now.

Also, Adam's baby house prepared him for the adoption very well. We supplied them with a photo album of the house, us, pets and some key toys. He was answering to his American name rather quickly so I believe they were getting him use to it.

[1moretime]

I modified Alex's name. His given name was Alexey also and they gave him a nick name which also sounded feminine. When I mentioned his name to others, they all asked about "her". I decided not to have to put him through that.

When I asked him he said he wanted to go by his nickname. When I picked him up I used both. Thinking he would have to get used to his "given" name and we could call him by his nickname.

Once here though, he only wants to go by Alex. I will use his nickname but no one else outside of family knows it, per his desires.

This is a hot topic. Do a search and you will find all kind of responses. Do what you feel is best for you and your child.

Nancy

[Chris3148]

Very personal decision-I don't believe there is any wrong or right here. We adopted a 3 1/2 year old and a 22 month old. We moved their birth names to their middle names and gave them American first names. A little piece of Russia and a little piece of us all wrapped up together!

[mjkkbbr]

I don't think it should matter if the birthfamily or hospital staff named your child. Either way it is the name that is part of their history. It is a personal choice to keep it or change it.

We adopted two Korean toddlers and changed their first names and moved their given names to the middle. Our newly adopted 8 yo from Russia wanted to keep her given name and we gave her a new middle name.

She introduces herself as Nastia and also does not like the "disney" version of Anastasia but will answer to it.

[KimOH]

Just out of curiosity, is the "Disney" pronunciation Ann-nuh-stay-zhuh, while the Russian pronunciation is Ann-nuh-stah-see-yuh?

And (wink) when we're talking about Disney uses of the name, I assume we're talking about Cinderella's wicked step sister, Anastasia, right? The animated movie "Anastasia" is a Don Bluth film, not Disney. (wink!)

In answer to the OP's question: We moved our children's birth names to their middle names and gave them new first names. Regardless of who named them, we felt that their name was part of them and didn't want to remove it completely. (We adopted young toddlers though, so it's not the same situation you're talking about). We are happy with our decision.

[k8c]

Originally Posted by KimOH

And (wink) when we're talking about Disney uses of the name, I assume we're talking about Cinderella's wicked step sister, Anastasia, right? The animated movie "Anastasia" is a Don Bluth film, not Disney. (wink!)

Cheers, Kim, for posting the non-Disney connection that I was deciding whether or not to mention. I think the movie is great--a well-done cartoon musical that looks like a musical--and St. P!! As an anti-Disney girl I didn't want them getting the credit.

(Sorry everyone--had to get that out.)

FWIW, I am planning on naming my daughter after my grandmother and calling her a nickname that ends in "A" to make things easy here. I'll use her given name--or her "sweet name" (love that it's called that...) as her middle name.

What I've realized every time I read both sides of this debate is that whatever the reasoning, there is *reasoning* behind this personal decision. I think the fact that adopted children are lovingly named is the best outcome of all.

Kate

[Jim_in_PA]

Originally Posted by KimOH

Just out of curiosity, is the "Disney" pronunciation Ann-nuh-stay-zhuh, while the Russian pronunciation is Ann-nuh-stah-see-yuh?

Yes and the accent on the second is on the "see" syllable. The first syllable has a softer "Ah" sound, rather than "Ann". Of course, it's rare we use that name...she prefers Nastia, even at school. No problems on that that we know of to date.

[kretzklan]

We changed our children's names completely and it has worked out completely for them (and for us). We honestly never paid it much attention and I think they just followed our lead...

They were 6 and 7 at adoption and were answering to their names within a day.

[beckyww]

I blogged a bit about this subject today - on Father's Day - 'twas appropriate.

Becky
www.woodworthfamily.blogdrive.com