Q & A #3

Q: What about names? Will you change the(ir) name?

Yes . . . what about names? This is, by far, one of the questions we get asked most.

Our child will, obviously, already have a name. They would have received their name from 1 of 2 places: either their birth parents or from the State.

No matter where their name came from, it is a part of them and a part of their Russian heritage. We do not want to strip them of this sacred and wonderful thing.

Instead, we will choose a name to go with it, and depending on the child's personality and the name itself, we will figure out a way to honour both names.

Q: Do you have names picked out?   

Of course! We have a couple in mind for a son, and we think we may have narrowed down the name for a daughter. (Umm... I'm not sure I've actually said son or daughter before. That felt good!)

The final decision will depend on the name s/he already has and what we think is the best choice one we've met him or her.

We've looked through many traditional Russian names and feel we've come up with some great options. What's lovely is that popular names in Canada are trending towards Russian names, so we'll see what happens.

Q: So what if you like the name?

Of course there is a very real possibility that we will love the name. But there is more that goes into a decision like this than just preference.

One of the most amazing privileges of becoming parents is the ability to name your child. It bonds you. It welcomes the child to the family and it gives parents and children a sense of belonging to each other.

Our child, no matter who they are or where they were born, belongs with our family. When s/he comes home they will be with their forever family. They will become part of our family history and will carry on our family's traditions, recipes, stories, mannerisms and love.

For example, we have friends who have the family name Rose that they are considering (wink wink). Now, should they choose the name it will give their daughter a more direct link to her lineage. It will connect her in a way that nothing else can. Past generations will forever live on in her name.

Some people choose to start their own traditions with names. Some people choose family names, and others choose name that hold meaning for them. There are those that simply choose names they like.

Q: So will you share the names?

Not on this blog!

But one day we will introduce you to our child. I promise.

Sorry this is a little small!