Names for an adopted daughter

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-10-2006
Names for an adopted daughter
33
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 12:28pm

Can I have thoughts and impressions on these names please? Our daughter is being adopted from China, if that weighs in on your view at all.

Arden
Estella
Maura
Rowan

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-13-2004
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 12:34pm
I love the name Maura. That's gets my vote
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-28-2005
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 12:52pm
Maura or Estella would get my vote.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 1:31pm
Estella and Arden get my vote. To me, they both have a "I've been wishing on a star/ardently longing for this baby" vibe that's just perfect. Rowan is my least favorite of the four.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2005
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 2:03pm

I really like Estella and can see that on a Chinese girl, whereas something like Rowan has a very Scottish feel. Maura actually works really well too... I am torn between Maura and Estella, both are lovely. I like Arden better on a girl.

How is the adoption coming? I want to adopt one day (probably from Ethiopia) and am setting up a blog to learn about it. http://destastory.blogspot.com/

-Nikki
http://destastory.blogspot.com/


                             
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2005
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 3:49pm

Arden - like the name in general, but I'd lean more toward "familiar but uncommon" for an adopted dd. Speaking from experience (not my own, but with family/friends who've adopted from another country, or are adopted themselves), many parents tend to choose a very common, "American" name to help their child fit in with their peers ... not that they need to, but so they feel more secure as part of the group rather than outside it, if that makes sense. Now I don't think you need to go so far as to name her Emily by any means, but I probably would avoid something many will be unfamiliar with -- in this particular case -- for that reason.


Estella - that's good. I personally prefer either Estelle or Stella (I find Estella a bit "frillier" than either, but that's neither here nor there LOL). It's still a great option, and I love the possible shortening Stella.


Maura - wonderful! A beautiful, uncommon choice that's not unheard of or difficult to spell or pronounce. Definitely a keeper. ;)


Rowan - I love the name itself -- even had it on my own lists in the past -- but I'm afraid it might come across as a bit trendier than I'd like at the moment. One of those names that was virtually unknown by anyone but we name-obsessed


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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-26-1999
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 4:00pm

Congrats on your baby girl!

Here are my thoughts:

Arden-This seems kind of harsh. I couldn't possibly picture it on a sweet little baby girl.

Estella-I love it! Exotic, yet simple. It's uncommon too, but still reconizable. Fabulous for any age.

Maura-Very nice. I'm not sure that I love it as much as Estella for a Chinese little lady though. It's quite Gaelic, you know?

Rowan-I don't mind this as much for a girl as some other unisex names. It is a bit masculine though. Do you like Rowena or maybe Rowan nn Rosie?

Hope this helps!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-14-2007
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 4:51pm

I love the name Rowan, and even though it has become relatively known, I don't see it ever becoming insanely popular, so I vote for that.

Are you planning to keep part of your daughter's Chinese name, or to give her a Chinese middle name, or similar? I think that's a really nice way to acknowledge her culture. (If not, since you obviously don't hate "word names," perhaps you could find a plant or flower native to China which would make a pretty name, to provide a little of that link.)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2005
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 6:13pm
I agree with fillefantome; if it were me (and I fully plan to adopt a child from a foreign country), I'd want to acknowledge/honour the child's native heritage by keeping a name which reflects that
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 6:16pm

I think it needs to be something that captures her background, but still sounds somewhat Americanized. I mistakenly had written an entire message on Japanese names, and had to delete when I realized you said Chinese. One of my former employers has a beautiful adopted daughter who is obsessed with my red hair. Her name is Maggie.

I looked up Chinese names -- which I think her American name should include. The ones I found to be especially lovely were Mei-Lien (beautiful lotus) and Xin (meaning new).

Arden Mei-Lien _______ would be a nice one to consider. Good luck! :-)

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2006
Fri, 05-11-2007 - 11:01am
i like Estella and Maura but prefer Estella :)

_________________________________________
Carly + Phil
proud parents of our four princesses: Alaina Rhoslyn (Lainey) 2.15.07, twins Georgia Carol and Natalia Lorraine (Gigi and Talia) 7.31.08, Penelope Julia (Penny) 8.25.10 and our newest littl

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