Baby Name Poll Results

Don’t change their names.

We have already decided to change their names, we have talked it over and talked to their social worker and the oldest one’s counselor. They are still young enough to have their names changed, and we don’t like their names so we have decided to change them. We think it is best for everyone as it will help them escape teasing when they are older. Thanks for the input though!

I like Madeleine from your choices, but I kind of agree with the first commenter. If they’re older, maybe use a nickname or try to keep the names similar to the ones they have now. Sadie would be a good option for Mercedes. Sadie Madeleine Rose? GL!

I adore Genevieve! So classy. Madeleine is cute, but kind of popular. GL!

You can’t and shouldn’t try to erase their past. You are adopting children and they come with a history. Their names are part of that. You shouldn’t get rid of that just because you don’t like the names. If having a name that you like and picked out is so important to you maybe you should reconsider adopting children.

If she doesn’t like their names, and wants to change them, then she has every right to! Are you adopting? No. So stop trying to give her advice on something you likely know very little about!!

Actually I was adopted at 4 and I currently foster to adopt. So nice try but this is my area of expertise. Renaming a child when you adopt them is pretty much a slap in the face. It is like saying you wanted to new child, not the one you got with the history they have.

Oh yes, of course you were, and of course you did. Like I said, her wanting to change the names of what will be her children is her choice, and she has made it perfectly clear that she is changing their names, and people should stop being rude, and respect it! (And how close minded of you to class every adopted child in the same category! It will jot be like ’a slap in the face’ for every child! I mean, how many people remember what their name was at 2?? Not many!)

I am not being rude I am trying to offer some perspective on something many people would never think of. Changing their names isn’t the best idea. End of story.

I’m sure she has thought it through, and has decided it is the best thing. Changing names is sometimes the best thing, and whether you like it or not, I think it’s clear she is changing them. End of story.

But she is changing them for selfish reasons. Sorry but I will stand up for the child any day. And this isn’t fair to the children she is adopting. Maybe I can’t change her mind but I can at least get her thinking about things.

It isn’t fair??? How old are you? If she doesn’t like the childrens names, then she has EVERY right to change them! Even if not biologically, the child will be hers!

Because when you adopt a child you need adopt their past too! What part of that don’t you understand?

The child’s past has nothing to do with their name. Sure their birth parents named them. Why shouldn’t she change them, if she doesn’t like them? What part of that don’t you understand?

Sometimes their name is all they have left to connect them to their past. And she shouldn’t change it because she doesn’t like it because it sends a message to the child that something was wrong with them, something needed to be changed, how they were was not acceptable. I understand she doesn’t like the name but adopting a child is about what is best for the child not about what you want or like.

What 2 yr old is going to pick up on this ’message’ that there is something wrong with them?? They’re not!! Again, no one even remembers their life at 2! In a couple of months the children will likely have completely forgotten what they were called, and will be ready to start their new lives! Who said they have to hold on to their past? Everyone is always going on about how you need to let the past go, in order to move on to the future, so I’ve no idea where you’ve got that ’hold on to the past’ crap from. Clearly if they are up for adoption, it wasn’t all sunshine and roses, who would want to hold on to something depressing like their crappy past?? (Unless you’re emo. Are you??)

You don’t have much compassion.
Children pick up on messages. It is going to be confusing now, and then again when they are older and want to know about their past. Their parents will have to say well your name was Mercedes but we changed I because we didn’t like it. That is confusing and hurtful.
And there is a difference between holding onto your past and wanting to understand or be connected. These children will always be connected to their past just like we all are. And being adopted adds to that because no matter how much you love your adopted parents, it is human nature to wonder about where you were from originally.

Of course I have compassion. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t even be bothering with this. It is you who is lacking common sense. Having your new parents change your name is in no way harmful. The fact that the poster is adopting, shows she wants to do what’s best for the children, and she has decided to change their names, so get over it! (And [removed]!!)

Just adopting does not show she is doing what is best for the children. You obviously are not able to grasp what adopting is all about so I am done with trying to help these children and this family.

They obviously don’t need your ’help’. They are changing their names, so get over it!!

I have to agree with the first poster. This isn’t a newborn, it is a child that has a name already. When you adopt, you adopt the whole child- not just the parts you like.

How close minded you are.

Who are you referring to as close minded?

New perpective: Maybe the first parents’ treatment towrads the adopted child makes the differece? If the child was abused, neglected, or whatever awful reason they lost custody of her, then I say Yes to changing her name since that name is not associated with love. Now if the child was loved by them and didn’t come from that type of situation, and for some reason they had to give her up, then I would say changing her name simply because you don’t like it isn’t benefiting her. Her "name" is all she has to connect her to the people who brought her into this world, who made it possible for you to have her in your life! If it’s a loving connection, don’t change it. Maybe a special n/n (like Saddie or Mercy)? You will help her to move on to a new healthy future with your love and care!

Who cares what you would say? They ARE changing her name so get over it!!!!!!!!!!