I thought long and hard about whether or not to share this. There is no shortage of opinions about whether or not to change an adopted child's name, and it's very common for people to feel the need to share those opinions. Some people adamantly believe that a child's name should never be changed, while others incorporate the child's birth name with their adopted name, and still others change the name completely. So I really had to think about whether I wanted to risk opening myself up to criticism on this whole subject. I mean, we're still a long way out from bringing her home. But I think that deciding on a name just further cements in our minds the fact that even if we're a long way away, we are going to one day bring home our daughter. And so I decided to take the risk.
Names are very important to me, and I have to admit that after much thought and prayer, we fall into the camp that has decided to change our child's name completely. I think that it will signify a new beginning in her young life with her forever family. I'm not saying we will deny her heritage or her history. I'm not saying that we won't celebrate where she came from, but I also want her to know that she is 100% part of our family. And I feel that by giving her a new name it will be a way to recognize her entrance into her new family.
I also think that name meanings are important. It may sound flaky or stupid, but you call your child his/her name everyday of his/her life, and so it I think it had better be a name that helps to define who your child is.
So without further ado, we've decided to name our daughter Allison Gayle. Allison means "noble or kind" and Gayle (which is my middle name and a family name) is a diminutive of Abigail and means "her father's joy or one who brings joy". This name embodies so much of what we want for our daughter. We not only want her to be noble and kind, and we have no doubt that she will bring much joy to our family.
So there you have it. I guess there is a actually a lot in a name. At least I think there is . . .
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4 comments:
Totally and completely understand. My plan had been to choose a new name for my daughter, but then I discovered that the child God had for me was older, much older than I had ever planned...11 years old. At that point I knew she needed to have a say in what she is called. I too think the meaning of names is important...my daughter's name is from the root name of Mary, which means bitter...honestly I dislike the meaning. So, when I did choose a new middle name for her, I wanted it to reflect the opposite...so it was Joy. I still love the names I had chosen as possibilities before...but I know that God gives you what you need...in this case it was an 11 year old who needed to keep her first name and will one day soon bring lots of joy to my life.
Well My middle name is Joy...I love the name Allison Gayle. She will bring joy to your home! Congrats..btw are you aware that you will have 2 kids with A names? <: just teasing you a lil..But I love the name! Whenever I adopt a girl will be either Ember Raine or Hope Elizabeth....Long story on the names...That's unless God chooses differently
I love it. We changed TImothy's name completely also. His birth mom had no problem with it. She chose the name she liked, and we chose ours. God is so good. I am so excited for you. My prayers for you and your family are continuing.
I think Katherine touches on something very true - each situation is different. You have to go with what's right for you.
We had a lot of big, lofty reasons for keeping Geri's name, but in the end it just feels like her name and I don't think I'd be able to remember to call her another name if we had opted to change it! Nothing else would be right for her. Weird how a name can just seem to suit someone, right?
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