Names for three children adopted from Eastern Europe who want Americannanes, HELP!

Name Advice
1

We have two kids in their teens one biological and one adopted. Their names happen to begin with the letter C. This was not a plan but we chose names we liked. Their names are [name]Connor[/name] [name]David[/name] and [name]Chelsea[/name] [name]Grace[/name].

We now want to expand our family with a sibling group of three. They want American names. Their names do not at all sound as though they would fit in with kids at school. They are unusual evan for their country but we think if they are OK with it we will keep them for middle names.

I don’t want the names to sound dysphonic or not harmonize with our current kids names. Yet I dont want them to sound like the Dugger Family with all of the Js. (20 Kids and counting)

The kids are 12 , 7 and 4. The 2 older are boys, the youngest a girl.

Here were my thoughts.

[name]Corbin[/name] [name]Chase[/name]
[name]Kayden[/name] Jaermiah
[name]Cady[/name] [name]Anastasia[/name]

[name]Blake[/name] [name]Carlin[/name]
[name]Kayden[/name] [name]Reed[/name]
[name]Bethany[/name] [name]Christine[/name]

[name]Chase[/name] [name]Jakob[/name]
[name]Carter[/name] [name]Evan[/name]
[name]Christen[/name] [name]Joy[/name]

[name]Corbin[/name] [name]Craig[/name]
[name]Cayden[/name] [name]Blaine[/name]
[name]Cara[/name] [name]Christine[/name].

[name]Stephan[/name] [name]Jeremiah[/name]
[name]Sawyer[/name] [name]Chase[/name]
[name]Christen[/name] [name]Joy[/name]

Your thoughts? Any other ideas will be welcomes.

Names in our family that we may want to use are [name]Jeremiah[/name], [name]Jenna[/name], [name]Sam[/name], [name]Christine[/name] and variants, [name]Blake[/name], [name]Blaine[/name], [name]Elizabeth[/name] and [name]Bethany[/name].

Thank you.

2

Is there a possibility the children might havean opportunity to help choose?..I have 2 adopted children, (They were 6 and 8 when I adopted them) and while I didnt change their first names (though I would of loved to) I did include them in the choosing of their new middle names to go with their new last name…

Your choices are all sweet

My vote–
[name]Blake[/name] [name]Carlin[/name]
[name]Kayden[/name] [name]Reed[/name]
[name]Bethany[/name] [name]Christine[/name]

3

Nice names…my favorites
[name]Sawyer[/name]
[name]Corbin[/name]
[name]Cara[/name]

4

Congratulations on the adoption of three children.

I would be more conscious of keeping the names of the three you are adopting in sync rather than trying to match the others who were born in another naming era (I suppose).

I think these would make a good fit

[name]Blake[/name] [name]Christian[/name]
[name]Reid[/name] [name]Jeremiah[/name]
[name]Catherine[/name] [name]Phoebe[/name] ([name]Catherine[/name] meaning pure nn [name]Kate[/name])

So new children are named [name]Blake[/name], [name]Reid[/name] and [name]Kate[/name].

More ideas

[name]Alice[/name] [name]Phoebe[/name]
[name]Caleb[/name] [name]Carter[/name]
[name]Joel[/name] [name]Lucas[/name]

or

[name]Carter[/name]
[name]Conway[/name]
[name]Cleo[/name]

or
[name]Sawyer[/name] [name]Corbin[/name]
[name]Susannah[/name] [name]Joy[/name]
[name]Cooper[/name] [name]Christian[/name]

or

[name]Caroline[/name] (nn [name]Cara[/name]) Margot
[name]Oliver[/name] [name]Reid[/name]
[name]James[/name] [name]Jeremiah[/name]

or
[name]Corbin[/name] [name]Blaise[/name]
[name]Curtis[/name] [name]Hunter[/name]
[name]Chloe[/name] [name]Joy[/name]/[name]Starr[/name]/[name]Skye[/name]/[name]Wren[/name]

or

[name]Christina[/name] [name]Noelle[/name]
[name]Julian[/name] [name]Arthur[/name]
[name]Barnaby[/name] [name]Phillip[/name]

or

[name]Alexander[/name] [name]Blake[/name]
[name]Maxwell[/name] [name]Corbin[/name]
[name]Natalie[/name] [name]Kristen[/name]

or

[name]Curtis[/name] [name]Alexander[/name]
[name]Connor[/name] [name]Lucas[/name]
[name]Cara[/name] [name]Maeve[/name]

rollo

5

I think it would be nice if you gave them “American” first names like [name]Corbin[/name], [name]Carter[/name], and [name]Christine[/name] and middle names that are from their country of origin but that aren’t completely it there when you hear them here. Like [name]Anastasia[/name] or [name]Alexander[/name] or something.

6

I like all of your ideas and you are right, I am trying to blend two different cultures and two naming eras. But we want it to sound like a family, not a random group of people. I hope that makes sense.

The eldest boy is named [name]Valery[/name]. I don’t see how to use that name at all for a boy. It’s old fashioned in Ukraine. [name]One[/name] is [name]Alexi[/name] and the girl happens to be [name]Anastasia[/name]. In their county these are “out of date names” and through the coordinator they have expressed the desire for American names. In Ukraine, these names would be the equivalent of naming your child [name]Stanley[/name], [name]Marvin[/name] and [name]Gertrude[/name].

I know that the oldest boy has not given a preference for a name, The little boy likes “Spiderman” and the girl likes “[name]Barbie[/name]” These names don’t work for me at all. :slight_smile: But it’s cute!

Please keep the suggestions coming!

7

Well if he likes Spiderman maybe his middle name could be [name]Peter[/name] or [name]Parker[/name]. I think [name]Anastasia[/name] could be a very pretty middle name but if she doesn’t like her name then that might note be best. Some of the new Barbies friends have cuter names so maybe if you found one that had a name you liked you could get her one. When I was little they had dolls named [name]Marisa[/name] (which is my name) and I used to think it was the coolest thing.

8

I would absolutely avoid naming them after a toy that they like right now at 4 and 7. They are going to grow up, all 7 year olds want to be Spiderman.

I would actually be very careful as to rename these kids who are going trough so much change as it is.

I think it would be neat to let them slightly change their names to American versions that sound modern and flow well:

[name]Alexi[/name] --> [name]Alexander[/name]
[name]Anastacia[/name] --> [name]Annabel[/name]
[name]Valery[/name] --> [name]Valentin[/name], [name]Vincent[/name], [name]Valerian[/name]

9

I really dislinke [name]Vincent[/name] [name]Vinnie[/name] and any male name I can think of with a V. No way could I live with that.

I really want the names to blend in with my current children’s names and not sound like name cacophony.

They do not have to all have the letter C , but they do have to sound harmonious.

BTW there is no way I would think of naming my kids after dolls or cartoon characters. That’s crazy.

I only mentioned it because I thought it was cute.

10

Can’t name a child [name]Connor[/name] because that’s my son’s name.

[name]Connor[/name] [name]David[/name] and [name]Chelsea[/name] [name]Grace[/name]

11

Hmm…with that in mind. Spider-man’s real name is [name]Peter[/name] [name]Parker[/name]. Either would be good. [name]Barbie[/name]'s full name is [name]Barbara[/name] [name]Millicent[/name]. [name]Barbie[/name] has a ton of different friends and family members that would also be good.

[name]Skipper[/name]'s middle name is [name]Madison[/name].
There’s [name]Francie[/name]. I’m assuming her full name is [name]Francine[/name], but could also be [name]Frances[/name] or Francoise.
[name]Stacie[/name]
[name]Kelly[/name] - known as [name]Shelly[/name] in Europe. I’m assuming her full name in Europe would be [name]Michelle[/name].
[name]Krissy[/name] - I’m assuming her full name is [name]Christina[/name]/[name]Christine[/name]/[name]Kristen[/name].
[name]Jamie[/name]
[name]Steffie[/name] - [name]Stephanie[/name]
[name]Cara[/name]
[name]Tracy[/name]
[name]Dana[/name]
[name]Whitney[/name] - known as [name]Laura[/name] in Europe.
[name]Becky[/name] - [name]Rebecca[/name]
[name]Miko[/name] is known as [name]Marina[/name] in Europe.
[name]Teresa[/name]
[name]Belinda[/name]
[name]Kayla[/name]
[name]Kira[/name]
[name]Nia[/name]
[name]Tara[/name] [name]Lynn[/name]
[name]Lea[/name]
[name]Ana[/name]
[name]Lara[/name]
[name]Tori[/name]
[name]Kenzie[/name] - [name]Mackenzie[/name]
[name]Summer[/name]
[name]Raquelle[/name]
[name]Courtney[/name]
[name]Nikki[/name] - [name]Nicole[/name]
[name]Clara[/name]
[name]Arial[/name] (would probably work better as [name]Ariel[/name])
[name]Nina[/name]
[name]Jane[/name]
[name]Marie[/name]
[name]Kate[/name] - [name]Katharine[/name]
[name]Melody[/name]
[name]Lorena[/name]
[name]Jenny[/name] - [name]Jennifer[/name]
[name]Marisa[/name]
[name]Deidre[/name]
[name]Maria[/name]
[name]Liana[/name]
[name]Desiree[/name]
Kerstie
[name]Gia[/name]
[name]Miranda[/name]
[name]Anne[/name]
[name]Casey[/name]
[name]Megan[/name]
[name]Janet[/name]
[name]Nellie[/name]
[name]Daria[/name]
[name]Gillian[/name]
[name]Windy[/name] (would probably work best as [name]Wendy[/name])
[name]Kara[/name]
[name]Chandra[/name]

Some of characters I’ve listed are of African American and [name]Asian[/name] dolls, but didn’t feel overly ethnic like Trichelle does to me. Oh and [name]Barbie[/name]'s mother is [name]Margaret[/name]. The woman responsible for [name]Barbie[/name] was named [name]Ruth[/name].
Here’s a complete list of [name]Barbie[/name] names but I snagged the ones I thought most usable.

My thoughts on name changing are mixed. On the one hand, I think that changing a name can mean a loss of culture and identity, on the other hand, some names have inappropriate sounds, and these kids are asking for new names. I know in quite a few cases, older adoptees ask for new names from their parents because of the bad memories from being an orphan and want a new start.

Personally, I’d keep their old names as middle names. They might change their minds as they get older. I do like the idea of using family name, but I’d use them as first names in this case. I’m not sure about having them all use the same letter, they might like that, otherwise, I’d give them all unique first letters. That’s really up to you guys as a family.

Edit: Ah, we posted at roughly the same time. So I didn’t see that you’re completely opposed to to the idea of naming your children after characters. Still, I think if you have your heart set on Christine/Christina/Christen and knows she loves Barbies, I think searching for one named that would mean a lot to her.

12

Ok, you have a [name]Connor[/name] and [name]Chelsea[/name] already and you’re going to adopt three children from [name]Russia[/name] named [name]Valery[/name], [name]Alexei[/name] and [name]Anastasia[/name] who want American names. The trouble with your names is that most of them are too matchy with your current children’s. [name]Chase[/name] and [name]Chelsea[/name] are too similar as are [name]Corbin[/name]/[name]Sawyer[/name]/[name]Carter[/name] with [name]Connor[/name]. The only ones I think are fine are [name]Cara[/name], [name]Jenna[/name], [name]Bethany[/name] and [name]Blake[/name].

[name]Bethany[/name] [name]Christine[/name]
[name]Blake[/name] [name]Jeremiah[/name]
[name]Jenna[/name] [name]Elizabeth[/name] or [name]Cara[/name] [name]Elizabeth[/name]

Other Suggestions

Names like [name]Chelsea[/name]: [name]Devon[/name], [name]Amber[/name], [name]Kendra[/name], [name]Krista[/name], [name]Shannon[/name], [name]Amanda[/name], [name]Candace[/name], [name]April[/name], [name]Danielle[/name], [name]Erica[/name], [name]Heather[/name], [name]Melissa[/name], [name]Tara[/name], [name]Tessa[/name], [name]Erin[/name], [name]Jessica[/name], [name]Megan[/name], [name]Samantha[/name], [name]Noelle[/name], [name]Lauren[/name], [name]Holly[/name], [name]Caitlin[/name], [name]Madison[/name], [name]Dana[/name], [name]Brooke[/name], [name]Allison[/name] and [name]Andrea[/name].

Names like [name]Connor[/name]: [name]Riley[/name], [name]Logan[/name], [name]Gavin[/name], [name]Brennan[/name], [name]Rowan[/name], [name]Finley[/name], [name]Ryan[/name], [name]Sean[/name], [name]Grady[/name], [name]Owen[/name], [name]Pierce[/name], [name]Kieran[/name], [name]Grayson[/name], [name]Reid[/name]/[name]Rhys[/name], [name]Grant[/name], [name]Flynn[/name], [name]Luke[/name], [name]Dean[/name], [name]Tobin[/name], [name]Lachlan[/name], [name]Griffin[/name], [name]Desmond[/name], [name]Gareth[/name], [name]Duncan[/name], [name]Brendan[/name], [name]Aidan[/name], [name]Nolan[/name], [name]Holden[/name], [name]Easton[/name], [name]Dylan[/name]/[name]Dillon[/name]

13

Sorry. I only suggested the [name]Barbie[/name]/[name]Peter[/name] [name]Parker[/name] thing because I thought it might make the transition to “American” names easier of they had something familiar to equate their names to since they’re so little. I’m sorry if it came off like I was being ridiculous or something. That definitely wasn’t my intent. I do actually think [name]Parker[/name] would go nicely with your older names. Doesn’t start with C though…

14

I’m sorry if I’m sounding testy. Many suggestions were good. The desire to have strange American names is not unusual. They get them out of pop culture and they are seldom usable. Most kids laugh later at these choices.

The names that were suggested that I like the best were [name]Blake[/name] [name]Carlin[/name]

                                                                          [name]Kayden[/name] [name]Reed[/name]

                                                                          [name]Bethany[/name] [name]Christine[/name]

They are not to my mind matchy matchy with [name]Connor[/name] david and [name]Chelsea[/name] [name]Grace[/name].

I think names mean a lot. We don’t pick our own names when we give birth. Our parents do. It’s the first gift that we give our children.

My daughter adopted from Korea was [name]Tae[/name] Hee [name]Grace[/name]. Brace is very stereotypically [name]Asian[/name] American - like [name]Lilly[/name].
I dropped [name]Tae[/name] Hee but she knows it’s he Korean name. She is glad it’s not any part of her official name.

[name]Parker[/name] isn’t bad but then it;s a lot like [name]Rosie[/name] O’[name]Donnell[/name]'s names for her kids. Then she suddenly has a child named [name]Vivienne[/name].

To me that does not go.

I also like Sarabeth and [name]Caroline[/name].

For boys I just love [name]Corbin[/name], [name]Collin[/name], and [name]Kayden[/name].

15

My last name is [name]Linden[/name]. The L makes L ending names hard.

16

Re [name]Valery[/name] while I may not endorse [name]Valentine[/name] as a first name it is sometimes used now as a middle name (after the rise of [name]Valentina[/name]).

I want to know if you still want a C themed family or just a family with children’s names that mesh together well as this will impact on my suggestions.

A shame that you didn’t like my idea of [name]Reid[/name], [name]Blake[/name] and [name]Catherine[/name] as they are very today and work perfectly with [name]Connor[/name] and [name]Chelsea[/name]. Although I would prefer [name]Kate[/name] as a full name instead of [name]Catherine[/name], [name]Christine[/name] is I am sorry to say old fashioned and dated and I am sure that they don’t want a dated name.

When I was in [name]Russia[/name] I met a few children named [name]Anastasia[/name] with the nickname of [name]Nastia[/name] (nastier!) quite unusable here and the alternative of [name]Stacey[/name] is too dated to be an option but [name]Anastasia[/name] is a gorgeous name so why not keep it in the middle name spot?

[name]Alexander[/name] is probably the most popular name in [name]Russia[/name] and in my opinion one of the top five names in the world so without a doubt I would keep this one, again as a middle name seeing as the children to be feel more Americanised but it is too good to discard.

[name]Valery[/name] is a name not to be used though as it would not make a good fit although [name]Valentine[/name] as a middle name could be an option but I would probably discard this one and try to include another name with a Russian connection like [name]Peter[/name] or Max as a middle name.

Can you please update us on your preferences especially if they have changed since beginning this thread? We nameberries are happy to post time and time again until we help you find the names that fit perfectly for you.

rollo

17

[name]Just[/name] names that mesh together and sound like a family. I do like a certain type of name and I think that named a child is sacred - between a parent and God and the child. Not the former parent, Or the former culture.

I think respect must be paid to the new family.

A name is a gift.

I do not want matchy names but I want coordinating names.

18

For a daughter here a few ideas and if any of these ideas appeal to you let me know so that we know if we are heading in the right direction for you.

[name]Abigail[/name] meaning father’s joy and [name]Ruth[/name] meaning of beautiful and compassionate

Combo [name]Abigail[/name] [name]Ruth[/name] nn [name]Abbey[/name]

or
[name]Abbey[/name] [name]Caroline[/name]
or
[name]Anneliese[/name] meaning grace or favour, combo of [name]Anneliese[/name] [name]Mary[/name]

[name]Serena[/name] means calm, serene and in [name]Wales[/name] means star
or
[name]Isabel[/name] meaning consecrated to God and it is the Spanish form of [name]Elizabeth[/name]

Combo [name]Serena[/name] [name]Isabel[/name]

[name]Harper[/name] meaning [name]Harp[/name] maker or player

Combo of [name]Anneliese[/name] [name]Harper[/name] if you like a feminine fn combined with an unisex and very popular middle name

Perhaps you like [name]Carina[/name] with nn of [name]Cara[/name]. The meaning of [name]Cara[/name] and [name]Carina[/name] is [name]Love[/name], gaelic a friend and in Italian beloved one.

[name]Cara[/name] [name]Dove[/name] and [name]Dove[/name] is a modern name that is slowly being used. If you like the name [name]Dove[/name] then you may like [name]Jemima[/name] which means [name]Dove[/name]. The nn’s for [name]Jemima[/name] are great eg [name]Jemma[/name], [name]Mimi[/name] and [name]Mia[/name] all great names.

Combo of [name]Jemima[/name] [name]Hope[/name]

[name]Jenna[/name] is a form of [name]Jennifer[/name] means fair and soft

Combo of [name]Carina[/name] [name]Bethel[/name] nickname of [name]Cara[/name], and [name]Bethel[/name] means house of God. The name [name]Bethany[/name] means a house of poverty.

[name]Olivia[/name] means [name]Olive[/name] branch
[name]Christina[/name] means follower of [name]Christ[/name] and [name]Kristen[/name] has the same meaning

Combo of [name]Olivia[/name] [name]Kristen[/name]

All of these names except [name]Harper[/name] which is trendy are very on trend and may suit your style.

rollo

19

It sounds like the kids have a serious reason for wanting new names and that should be honored. I know that most people don’t go in for all of the kids names starting with the same letter, I don’t mind (obviously since all three of mine start with a “C”). And, just as a different point of view, it may even be good/nice to do that. It Could be something fun that ties them in with their new siblings to begin with.

You’re all going to be making a lot of hard decisions. If it’s not something that has to be changed in a hurry (like Before you actually take over care of them), I’d include them in it as much as is reasonably possible for their ages.

If it were my situation, I would give serious thought to asking them if they’d like to have “C” names, since their older siblings do. If they (the oldest especially) has a strong feeling either way, then you have a direction to go. Then, possibly pick out 2 options for each child and let them pick the final one?

20

Yes they have to be changed before they enter the country.