Mar 13, 2007

Names

Naming or renaming your adopted children is always a lively topic. Ethiopian names can be difficult to pronounce, spell, remember, but most hold special meanings. Some families have chosen names before the adoption because they are old family names or they love the particular name. Others wait until referral to see if they can accept their child's given name as a first name. Many will keep the given name but replace it to the middle. Most will not keep the given name as the first name. It is a personal decision and there's no right or wrong about it. But I don't think you need to worry if the name is unique, hard, or unusual since it seems like unusual is what's popular these days and it's getting harder to stay unique as names can catch on throughout the population fast (probably won't happen with most Ethiopian names, so if you really want to be different, keep your child's "unusual" name).

We kept one child's name and shortened the other two's. We did not retain last and middle names for good but personal reasons. We love their names and the important people in their lives will not have trouble remembering or pronouncing them. And if you make fun of them at school, I think Tsega will beat you up ;).

Bereket. His name means 'blessing'. We gave him Abraham as his middle name, named after a special Ethiopian relative.


Sira. His given name was Yeabsira (Yob(rhymes with job)-sear-uh) and means 'God's work'. Please don't call him Sarah, it's Seeeeeer-uh. His middle name is now Teagan just because I love that name (it's Irish meaning 'little poet').



Tsega. His given name was Yeabtsega (Yob-say-guh) and means 'God's grace'. His middle name, after we changed it again, is now Addis. Addis means, as all you Ethiopian adopters know, 'new'.

7 comments:

cathy said...

I am so glad you started a blog. I so enjoy the pics. of your triplets. Thanks for the comments about Wal-Mart. It helps to know I'm not alone. cathy3

Mark and Sarah said...

Great blog! I always love when you post pics and stories about your kids on the forum, so a blog...even better!

Bek said...

I am so glad you are doing this. I have been wondering about you. I love hearing about those sweet boys....

Glad you are doing this!

Rachel said...

So glad you've now got a blog - will enjoy stopping by from time to time!

Rachel

Lindsey said...

i ran across your blog and couldnt help but look at all of your precious pictures. my husband and i have been talking about names and i love how you have incorporated so much meaning in your children's names. god bless!

Sparkz said...

I ran across your blog looking for the meaning of the name Yeabfira and Yeabsira was the closest I have found. Anyway I love your blog. Your boys are precious! Aren't Ethiopian babies the best?

amanda humphrey said...

I have a question for you! We just got our referral tonight of a little girl named "Bereket". While searching the internet, the only site that came up with a meaning was your blog! I HAVE seen on other sites that it's usually a boys name. But I LOVE that it means "blessing". How appropriate! Okay, so for my question: is it pronounced with 2 syllables or 3? "Ber Ket" or Ber A Ket"? Help, please!