Do you keep the name she has grown up with? Do you take away what may be the only thing she has and replace it with something new?
It is a tough decision.
Some feel a new name helps a child make a new start as part of a family, no longer an orphan. God often renamed people to denote a significant life change.
Others want to guard the child's heritage, or identity, or connection to the birth parents who once named them.
Until recently, orphans in China were given a surname indicating that they belonged to the state or the party.
The name identified the child as an orphan. You can read more about this at the link below:
China changing naming policy
Orphanages sometimes name children after the street or district where they are found. Others choose a name that expresses what they hope the child might become. Some name the child after the weather on the day he or she is found.
For nearly two years, we have know Claire by the name given to her at New Day. It is a name used on the website where her real identity must be protected. It is a name foreigners use for her, but not the name her Chinese caretakers use.
We considered changing it, but found that we have become accustomed to thinking of her as Claire. And we rather like the name.
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