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#1
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An African Name?
We are in the process of adopting an AA baby, a newborn. We may or may not get to name her but if we do, I have been thinking of choosing an African name rather than a "white" name.
I don't want to saddle her with a name nobody can spell or understand though, but I want a meaningful name for her that tells her I am proud of her race. Any thoughts? Did anyone else choose an ethnic name? glad? regrets? Oh, and some front runners are: Imani (faith), Zuri (beautiful), and Kendi (loved one)
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Our kiddos: ![]() ![]() ![]() Timeline: 11/04 - Bio kid, Curly Miss Born 8/05 - Completed PRIDE Training 2/06 - Licensed as foster parents 3/06 - Got a call but had to say no, pg w/ Little Mister and VERY sick ![]() 10/06 - Bio kid, Little Mister born 4/07 - Moved to a different state. Have to start over... 8/08 - Began homestudy process with domestic transracial agency. Hope to be approved by Christmas. 11/22 - Home Visit Scheduled. Could be approved as early as Thanksgiving! 12/20 - Approved!!! Time for waiting and praying! Blog: http://whistlererin.livejournal.com |
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#2
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My thoughts are these:
- What is your last name? Because whatever name you give should "match" it, in some way. - What are your other kids' names? If they're Katie and Jack, then Imani would stand way out. - I don't think of names as "white" or "black". If your child were actually from Africa, I'd see the rationale. But this child is a Black American. Why not give her an American name? Again, you asked for thoughts, and those are mine. That and $3.50 will get you some coffee at Starbucks. ![]()
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-Robyn mom to Jackson, b. 17 January 2006 mom to Cassandra, b. 25 October 2011 private, domestic, open adoptions Antioch, CA ![]() ![]() Child #1: Is that your mother? Child #2: Yes. Child #1: Why is she white and you are black? Child #2: Because I am adopted, and black people have more melanin than white people do. Child #1: Oh, let's go on the high bars. -Unknown |
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#3
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If you know the ethnic origin of the bio family then I would look for names from that country in Africa. I adopted from Ethiopia so I knew her country. My 2 favorite girl names from Ethiopia right now are Ayana (flower) and Tizita (memory).
Samantha
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Me: placed in adoptive home 7/14/76 (7 years old) adoption finalized 10/21/77 My daughter: REFERRAL 6/29/06 (18 months old) Court date 7/26/06 Meet daughter for first time 8/29/06 Re-adoption finalized 5/16/07 I LOVE being a single mom!! |
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#4
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Thanks for your ideas and input. Our last name is REALLY tough to get anything to sound good with it. That's definitely a problem.
Right now we're pretty much at a loss as to choosing a name. Naming our bio daughter was equally hard though so I think it is just that we have trouble deciding on a name. We want it to be so "perfect" and "special" we can't ever decide! My son was much easier. There was only one name that was on both our lists so that's the one he got! ![]()
__________________
Our kiddos: ![]() ![]() ![]() Timeline: 11/04 - Bio kid, Curly Miss Born 8/05 - Completed PRIDE Training 2/06 - Licensed as foster parents 3/06 - Got a call but had to say no, pg w/ Little Mister and VERY sick ![]() 10/06 - Bio kid, Little Mister born 4/07 - Moved to a different state. Have to start over... 8/08 - Began homestudy process with domestic transracial agency. Hope to be approved by Christmas. 11/22 - Home Visit Scheduled. Could be approved as early as Thanksgiving! 12/20 - Approved!!! Time for waiting and praying! Blog: http://whistlererin.livejournal.com |
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#5
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I would look at possible African American's who have been significant in history. There are so many, but a look on goggle will give you lots of websites with names. Rosa Parks, Mae Jemison, Maya Angelou, Lena Horne, Gwendolyn Brooks and Coretta Scott King, just to name a few of my favorites.
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#6
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There are names that don't apply to any one race. Leah, Mia, Gia. I understand what you're saying about "white" names but you want your child to have a name that's easy for other people to pronounce.
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#7
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I love the names you listed. You might want to take note of the kinds of names that African-American children in your neighborhood/social circles/area have. Do they tend toward Afro-Centric names or traditional American names?
My daughter's name is not African, but it is pretty recognizeable as African-American. My issue right now is that all of her African-American friends with highly textured hair have relaxed hair, and I really don't want to use chemicals on her hair. She's only 5! So there is this fine line with her fitting in culturally with other children of her race and reflecting your family's style and desires. I think it will be a long term dance around that line...... |
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#8
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Thanks!! Plus the problem with an African name is prospective employers/teachers will know and it may not necessarily be an asset, KWIM?? Please don't relax your daughter's hair. I'll PM you. there are products that will bring out the natural curl/wave without hurting the hair.
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#9
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Why not look for a name that is mainstream AND AA.
For example the name "Gina" sounds Italian (like Gina Lollobrigida), but it is also a Japanese girl's name meaning "silvery".
__________________
Mother to Sissy - my Mayan Princess (adult) - International Adoption Mother to Sassy - my Spanish Princess (over 25) - International Adoption Mother to Karate Kid (age 8) - domestic open adoption of relative Grandmother to Pink Princess (age 5) - She rules my heart!![]() 2006 - Retired from my job, but haven't quit working! 2010 - Back to a job, can't support a family on retirement pay! Laid off after 6 months! Business went under! 2011 - Job hunting! |
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#10
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My youngest daughter's second middle name is Amani which means peace in Swahili. I love that name.
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Forum Journal "Aria's Adoption Journal" and my blog at http://mommadramaandthedramettes.blogspot.com/ 11/30/05 Certified Fost/adopt parent 2/15/06 Placed with a beautiful newborn baby girl 11/09/06 TPR 5/1/07 FINALIZED!!!! 11/2008 on the list to adopt again... 01/07/09 beautiful newborn baby girl #2 is born :-) 01/12/09 Placed with "baby sister" 02/02/10 TPR for baby sister :-) YEAH!!!
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#11
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Just because your child will be AA doesn't mean that she has to have an African name. I'm AA and my name is Chloe. I love the fact that my name is so main stream, so far every school I've attended and every job I had I have been the only Chloe there. Do you know how many Latoya's, Keisha's and Tawana's I grew up with now most of those same women are naming their children names like Justin, Taylor, Mikayla, Olivia, Morgan, Jayden and Gabrielle. If you find a girl's name that you like and it goes with your last name than I suggest that become your daughter's name. Good luck
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#12
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As an AA woman... I can tell u I have no connection to Africa. My family goes back to the early 1800 s here. And I have no idea where they came from. Which is further or the same as many white people.
Your daughter is American... and is a part of your family... so name her according to ur family ... agree with pp ... a keshia in a family of Jane's and bobs would make her feel weird. On the other hand the names you mentioned were rally pretty... but seriously... I wouldn't have known they were African until you told us. ![]()
__________________
2009-2011 Multiple Unexplained Miscarriages May 2011 Decided to adopt. Matched with birthmom in first week of looking for agency because she wanted a AA couple. May 31 completed fast tracked home study. Waiting for fingerprints to come back. June 3 Failed Placement - baby born addicted. E-mom decided to parent June 17 Home study totally complete--- yea June 20, 2011 Matched with new e-mom Baby Boy B Born July 20, 2011! Thank you God for this blessing!
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#13
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I didn't choose a name for my son based on his ethnicity. I wanted a name that told him he belongs in my family. Family names are big in my family, so I named him for someone who was very special to me and who I wish he could have known. His bparents were thrilled with that idea, because it told them that he was going to be loved in the same way bio family members are.
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#14
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I'm with "Sol". My husband is a black man. It wasn't important to anyone in his family to have an African name so we named our children according to the name we liked. Our children all have names that are ethnically ambiguous and we've been very happy with the names we chose, as are our children. I think that some transracial adoptive families go a bit far in the fear that their children won't be "black enough." We raise our children to get along with others of many races, religions and backgrounds. So far it's worked well.
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Josie Mom to 8 EXTRAordinary little kids and big kids. 4 by birth, 4 by adoption -- how LUCKY am I???? "You must BE the change you want to see in the world." M.K. Gahndi |
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#15
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I'm agreeing with Sol on this one.. I'm AA and my name is Nicole... my given name at birth was Rachel.... All names have meaning, all you have to do is find a name that "fits" into your family. To give a child a certain name because of their race IS making them stand out. Did you give your other children CC name because their CC no.
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I am an Adult Adoptee!! My dear HUSBAND!! - Fur my knight in shinning armor! Bio-son Monkey 1/15/06 Bio-daughter China Doll 10/28/08 Said Do on- 11/14/2010!! Secret Life of an American Adoptee My Story ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
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Mother to Sissy - my Mayan Princess (adult) - International Adoption
Mother to Karate Kid (age 8) - domestic open adoption of relative


















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