Romeo, Romeo where for art thou Romeo? (note: this title has almost nothing to do with the post)

"What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet" - Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet" (Shakespeare)

 "I read in a book once that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but I've never been able to believe it. I don't believe a rose WOULD be as nice if it was called a thistle or a skunk cabbage." - Anne Shirley in "Anne of Green Gables"  (L.M. Montgomery)

So who is right Juliet or (my personal favorite) Anne Shirley? This has always been a hypothetical question and honestly, not one that I spent much time mulling over. But here lately, I've been approached numerous times with the question, "What are you going to name your daughter?" And my response is always the same, "I'm not sure what we're going to name her or even if we're going to change her name." Suddenly this hypothetical question has become very much unhypothetical (no it's not really word . . . I'm aware).

How much of a young child is wrapped up in her name? How traumatic will it be to change her name? Obviously, if we can't pronounce her name we'll have to change it or modify it somehow. I am really bad with foreign languages and pronunciations. I grew up in Central Texas around numerous Spanish speakers yet I still can't roll my "r"s. On the other hand, will she hate us for life if we keep her Bulgarian name? She may not like how it singles her out from all the other kids. We live in a small, not so culturally diverse town.

I think I agree with Juliet, my child will be my child no matter what her name. But I have to say Anne Shirley does have a point. I mean I can't imagine calling a rose a skunk cabbage. Just doesn't have the same ring now does it?

So I'm putting it out there for opinions, especially from those of you that have adopted internationally (and even if you haven't feel free to weigh in). What do you think? The truth is we probably won't make our final decision until we know our daughter's real name, and most likely, not until after we meet her for the first time. Still, I'm listening so remark away.