An illustration of a woman smiling and holding the hand of a young boy

Names are a big role of our identity (Moving-picture show: Ella Byworth)

When we're born, nosotros're all given a proper name, and whether nosotros like information technology or not, it'south a large part of our identity.

For a parent who is adopting a child, their petty one volition probably have been given a name by their birth parent.

Children, even babies, will understand and recognise their name and changing that tin can be incredibly confusing.

While their surname will exist changed to that of the adoptive parent, it'south rare to give a kid a dissimilar kickoff proper name.

Speaking to Metro.co.britain for Adoption Month, the Coram adoption team explains: 'We encourage/advise adopters to understand the importance of the child's outset name and not to change this as it is part of their identity and nativity family unit heritage and had been chosen for them by their nativity parents.

'It would be very infrequent circumstances when a change is considered and this, for case, would be connected to safeguarding.

'We offer training to adoption applicants in cess and the importance of the child's birth proper noun is one of the first things we embrace. Nosotros as well help people to understand that given all the losses and changes children, including babies, are experiencing that keeping their proper name is really important for them.

'Even very young babies will respond to their given name quite apace. Relinquished babies referred for adoption accept a proper name given to them by their nascence family unit and the advice remains the same.'

Adding a family connexion

Of course, names can have a lot of meaning for new parents and they may have something important in their family unit they would similar to laissez passer down.

Sam (not her real name), who adopted her son last yr explains: 'All the oldest boys in my family unit have been given ane of the same two names for generations – William and George. It was upsetting that my little boy wouldn't follow the aforementioned blueprint.

'He was three when he came to usa and his proper noun was completely different and probably not something we'd have chosen but I did like it. Instead of fixating on information technology, we changed his eye name, giving him both William and George.'

Although children may already have middle names, more than can be added at the indicate of the Adoption Social club application when their surname changes to that of the adoptive family.

Coram adds that the historic period of the child is important when adoptive parents are thinking virtually this.

The charity spokesperson adds: 'With older children, there would also be a discussion most this change as function of the legal procedure of becoming adopted. It takes time and work with the adoptive parent and social worker to back up them to experience ready and comfortable with this change.'

What if you lot don't like your child's proper name?

Although an adoptive child's proper noun might not be something you would cull, their parents need to put their needs start.

When Elliot and Steve (not their existent names) adopted their daughter they admit that while they fell in dearest with her contour, they were a petty unsure when they found out her name.

Steve said: 'We felt like she was ours and we heard her proper name and information technology was just something we would never have picked.

'It sounds silly looking back now but information technology actually freaked united states out. She was only a baby and we sort of thought "oh information technology won't matter if we practice change information technology" but nosotros realised how selfish that would exist and our social worker explained and brash that wouldn't be best.

'We knew that making our daughter happy and helping her settle was more important than our worries.

'As she got older, our daughter has naturally picked up a nickname (because she struggled to say her own name) and nosotros love that. Nosotros know that when she is older, she'll probably use her nativity name because her nickname is not very professional but it does feel a piddling more than personal for us.'

When tin can you make any changes to their name?

It's also important to consider that you can't change a child's name the infinitesimal they become part of your family.

At that place is a time period where they will take come abode but the Adoption Order has not been made.

Coram explains: 'It is important to note that when a child is placed for adoption nether the regulations the local dominance remains their legal parent until the Adoption Social club is made.

'The local authority is therefore responsible regarding names and any modify has to be with their agreement.'

When the adoption is made, you tin can change their surname and add together centre names if that is right for your kid.

More : Can biological parents regain custody of their child afterward adoption?

More than : 'I've felt the affect of being adopted for 50 years – there needs to be more ongoing support'

Adoption Month

Adoption Calendar month is a month-long serial covering all aspects of adoption.

For the next four weeks, which includes National Adoption Week from October fourteen-xix, we will exist speaking to people who take been affected past adoption in some way, from those who chose to welcome someone else's kid into their family unit to others who were that kid.

Nosotros'll also exist talking to experts in the field and answering as many questions as possible associated with adoption, every bit well as offering invaluable advice along the style.

If you lot accept a story to tell or want to share any of your own communication please do go far bear on at adoptionstories@metro.co.united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland.

Here is a selection of the stories from Adoption Calendar month so far: