We are adopting our third child from [name_f]China[/name_f].
This time it is a baby girl name Xiao Chun. We’d like to keep the Xiao to honor her heritage.
Xiao is pronounced “shee-ow” (ow as in owl). It almost sounds like shower without the “er”.
I am not sure about Xiao being the first or middle name yet. Our last name is Hight pronounced “height”.
Because our last name is also one syllable, I am thinking maybe a middle name with multiple syllables would be the answer. But I am open to considering new first names. I am also open to Xiao with two other names.
I’d like something lively and feminine. That will stand on its own when she is grown.
[name_m]How[/name_m] old is she? I think the long e sound is the most familiar English sound to most Asians. I’ve noticed a lot of [name_f]Amy[/name_f]'s and [name_f]Tiffany[/name_f]'s. I like [name_f]Amalie[/name_f] out of the ones listed.
[name_f]Amalie[/name_f] is definetly the best choice. I worked with an [name_f]Asian[/name_f] girl named [name_f]May[/name_f] (She spelled it [name_f]Mae[/name_f]) So [name_f]Amalie[/name_f] would work for her with the nick name [name_u]Leigh[/name_u] ([name_u]Lee[/name_u]), [name_f]Amy[/name_f], or [name_f]Mae[/name_f]. All names that I’ve seen on Asians.
My favorite with Xiao in the middle is [name_u]Vivian[/name_u] Xiao. If Xiao is the first name, I’m not sure if [name_u]Vivian[/name_u] works as well, but I like Xiao [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] or Xiao [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f].
I love several of those names, but I think [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] sounds the best with Xiao. I agree that using a longer middle name is probably the way to go. I’m not sure why, but the first ones that came to my mind are Xiao [name_f]Marina[/name_f] or Xiao [name_f]Mariana[/name_f]. Xiao [name_f]Lucinda[/name_f] also sounds like a fun choice, but that might not be your style. I’d love to know your other children’s names to see what fits best as siblings.
Congratulations to you and your family!
You have listed so many beautiful choices, I am sure whatever you decide on will be lovely.
Of those you listed, the only combination I thought worked with Xiao in the first name place was Xiao [name_f]Grace[/name_f]. I think Xiao [name_f]Grace[/name_f] Hight sounds lovely.
I think all the other names you listed work very well as first names, combined with Xiao in the middle place.
My favorites are [name_f]Scarlet[/name_f] Xiao, [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] Xiao, and [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f] Xiao.
Hm, I think whether or not you want the name Xiao up front or in the middle is going to come down to your preference, either way it’s nice that she’ll still get to carry it with her. I think [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] Xiao, [name_u]Vivian[/name_u] Xiao, and [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] Xiao sound the best from your list, and they are all names I think a little girl would love to have. Best of luck! I hope the adoption goes over smoothly.
I think you can name your daughter anything you want, whether or not it’s been “seen on Asians” before. “Asians” can be named anything their parents desire. Whether one of the 4 billion plus [name_f]Asian[/name_f] people living in the world right now had the name before is really not relevant.
I would like to sincerely thank you all for your thoughtful and supportive input. I am going to do a little more investigating so that I do not inadvertently saddle her with a name that makes no sense. However, I feel quite a bit of inspiration from your helpful feedback. THANK YOU!! <3
