names for adopted daughter from India

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
names for adopted daughter from India
24
Tue, 12-07-2004 - 10:02pm

Hi, there, I'm new here although I lurk occasionally. My husband and I are on the waiting list to adopt a daughter from India. We hope to keep her given name if it's at all workable, but want to give her a new, more Western-sounding Indian name if her given name is too difficult. Here's a list of Indian names we like and their meanings.

Bela- a flower-jasmine
Ela- earth/cardamom tree
Leela- divine play
Maya- illusion
Meera- poetess
Mirium- wished-for child
Neela- blue
Nina- lovely-eyed
Raina- night
Sarala- simple/straight, honest (we'd probably call her Sara)
Tarana- a musical composition (call her Tara?)
Vani- voice, muse (this doesn't really go with our last name, but we like the meaning)

Which ones do you guys like best? Our sons' names are Sam and Luke, so we tend to like short, simple names. Also, would it be OK to do the name elimination game in addition to this post? Thanks!

Julie

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-29-2003
Tue, 12-07-2004 - 10:16pm

I would go with Neela or Nina... both are short and simple, but still feminine and beautiful. I like Neely, too, so not that Neela needs a nn, but Neely could be a cute term of endearment.

I also really like the name Sarah/Sara, so Sarala would be a good choice. It would blend Indian and Western very well, since her full name would be a more traditional Indian name, and Sara is very American-sounding. I do think that Sara fits in best with brothers Sam and Luke.

But Neela and Nina are more unusual, if you are going for that. Sarahs/Saras are pretty common among all age groups.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2004
Tue, 12-07-2004 - 10:23pm
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU!
From your list I really like
Maya
Nina
Raina
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-08-2004
Wed, 12-08-2004 - 2:23am

I love the name Mirium. It's beautiful and classic, and it isn't difficult to spell or pronouce. Also, if you think it's too adult-sounding, you could call her Mimi (not that any nickname is necessary with a name this pretty). Also, the meaning is appropriate.

I also like Bela (is this a long or a soft "e" sound?). If it's a soft "e," like "Bella," then you could name her Isabella (or Isabela) if you wanted her full name to be something more traditional.

Congratulations on your upcoming adoption. I've just completed a paper about international adoption, and I can't tell you how much I admire families like yours. Best Wishes! Please let us know what name you decide on.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Wed, 12-08-2004 - 9:32am

Wow - they are all beautiful names!
The ones I like best are:

Maya- illusion
Meera- poetess
Mirium- wished-for child (great meaning - Mira or Meera could work as a nickname)
Neela- blue
Nina- lovely-eyed
Sarala- simple/straight, honest (we'd probably call her Sara)

Mirium/Miriam just has such a great meaning! I also like Ruth for an adopted child, because of the biblical story, where she tells Naomi "I will go where you go, and your people will be my people"...maybe as a middle name?

Congratulations!
Carrie

Avatar for alsatia23
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 12-08-2004 - 10:47am

My favorite is Raina.







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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-20-2003
Wed, 12-08-2004 - 11:18am

I like these best:

Raina
Sarala
Tarana

Really they are all beautiful, though!

*Ali

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-01-2003
Wed, 12-08-2004 - 12:30pm

I LOVE Raina, so that's the top choice of your list to me.

I also like Nina, Maya, and Neela.

Tarana is OK and I like the nn Tara, Sarala is OK, but I'm not a Sara fan.

good luck.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
Wed, 12-08-2004 - 1:22pm
Those are all lovely names. I think Maya is my favorite but Mirium seems to be a good fit as well. Thats such a sweet meaning. If you like it short and simple, I like Nina and Raina. Good luck!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-25-2004
Wed, 12-08-2004 - 1:49pm
I definitely vote for Mirium based on meaning!
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2004
Wed, 12-08-2004 - 5:40pm

I would take names as Nina, Sara or Bella.

I have Friends adopted from India and all have their Indian name as second named and a swedish name, since I live in sweden, as a first name. In my area many adopted childern in the 70:ties.

Theese are my freinds:

Matilda (girl)
Christoffer (man)
Ingrid ( girl)
Casper ( man)
Gunilla ( girl)

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