Is it ethically wrong to rename an adopted toddler to mark his her new start in lfe?i?

Answer 1

No it's not. It will prevent more questions and awkward moments for that child when he gets older. I would keep his first name the same for his sake, he's already used to it, but change the last name to match your's so that he feels like a part of your family and not an outcast.

Answer 2

First or Last name?? If it’s last, it’s perfectly acceptable to children to have a different last name. Their parent’s last name. The child will understand and accept, and most importantly have a sense of “belonging” to a family. The child won’t ever forget the “original” last name,, but as soon as the child can mentally cope with the answer(s) and ask the question(s) about being adopted, be ready with the right answers!!

If it’s the first name, the only exception would be a child from a different culture/language background who’s name sounds ridiculous in your language. Just examples here,, Kow Pi or Pi Tow,, for example. No slur of any language-ethnic heritage what so ever intended. Kids can and will be unmerciful with each other’s “funny” names. That aside leave the first name alone !! The child will KNOW they have a new beginning in life!! Your actions will speak louder than any words, especially their given name. It’s all about the child, (not you!) beginning a “new chapter” in life. (granted you are beginning a new chapter,, but don’t lay that “responsibility” on any child)

Answer 3

If they're a toddler I think that at least the first name should stay the same. My daughter is 17 months and can already say her name and knows it's her name. If they're older than that I think it should stay the same. The middle name is up to you. The last name should definitely change in my opinion. I have friends who adopted two teenagers and they all decided to pick their new last name together. They decided that their new family name would be Hope for the hope of a wonderful new life together.

Answer 4

Congratulations
You know the foremost authority on all questions of morality and ethics. Your heart is so huge you chose to give a great part of your life to adopt a little one to live your life with .
Whatever your rationale for adopting, your heart clearly was the motivator of that choice. Seems you might have fallen in LOVE.
Just use the same LOVE in considering renaming the little one.

Answer 5

Presumably you're not doing the adopting, as you would have been given advice about this. But I hate it when people get my name wrong, and I think it would be compound the trauma of adoption for a young child if they suddenly had to have a new first name. As for surname, I think it could be changed to be the same as the rest of the family.

Perhaps you were the one whose name was changed? When you get older, you can use any name you like, but it would be reasonable to ask your adoptive parents why they changed your name.

Answer 6

No. A toddler is young enough to get used to being called a different name. Even adults change their names and manage just fine. Maybe use his given name as a middle name.

(A friend adopted a Chinese toddler with a Chinese name, and proceeded to rename the little girl a German family name, Heidi. She looked as German as Mao did. Anyway, Heidi survived.)

Answer 7

It may be confusing for the child if you change their first name... obviously their last name is going to change if they are adopted. I guess it would depend on if they are to the point where they are responding to the name they currently have already or not. Even if they are from another country, it wouldn't be ethically wrong to change their name, just confusing. If they are from another country though, you may want to consider giving them two names, one that is more what you want, and another that reflects the heritage they are decendent of.

Answer 8

It would be a little to wierd to just up and change there first name because you don't like it! I know a guy that that happened to, when his parents got divorced (he was named after his dad) his mom got his first name legally changed. And he still is upset about it to this day! (15 years later!!!) So I would NOT change his first name!!! But yes you should change his last name, if he is being adopted, and even his middle name might be okay.

Answer 9

some people believe that the name of the child reflects his/her soul. i dont but in that case it would be morally wrong. mostly i just think that someone loved that child enough to give a name, and no one has enough love. if it were me i would at least keep the name as a middle name even if it is never used.

Answer 10

if the child is young and you transition them over to a new name it wouldn't be a big deal.

if the child is older ask them if they would be interested in picking out a new name together to signify a new start.

if the childs name is Alley and you want to change it to Beth then start just calling her Alley-Beth almost like a nickname. Then eventually just start dropping off the Alley and just call her Beth.