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

Names are a large part of our identity (Flick: Ella Byworth)

When nosotros're born, nosotros're all given a name, and whether we similar information technology or not, it's a large function of our identity.

For a parent who is adopting a child, their footling 1 will probably have been given a name by their birth parent.

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

While their surname will be changed to that of the adoptive parent, it's rare to give a child a dissimilar first name.

Speaking to Metro.co.united kingdom for Adoption Month, the Coram adoption squad explains: 'Nosotros encourage/advise adopters to empathize the importance of the child'southward first name and not to modify this as it is part of their identity and birth family unit heritage and had been chosen for them by their birth parents.

'Information technology would be very exceptional circumstances when a change is considered and this, for example, would be connected to safeguarding.

'We offering training to adoption applicants in assessment and the importance of the child's nascency name is one of the first things nosotros cover. We as well aid people to understand that given all the losses and changes children, including babies, are experiencing that keeping their name is really of import for them.

'Even very immature babies will respond to their given name quite quickly. Relinquished babies referred for adoption have a proper name given to them by their birth family and the communication remains the same.'

Adding a family connection

Of class, names can have a lot of meaning for new parents and they may take something important in their family unit they would similar to pass downward.

Sam (not her real name), who adopted her son final year explains: 'All the oldest boys in my family have been given 1 of the same two names for generations – William and George. It was upsetting that my little boy wouldn't follow the same blueprint.

'He was three when he came to u.s.a. and his name was completely different and probably non something we'd accept called simply I did similar it. Instead of fixating on it, we changed his middle proper noun, giving him both William and George.'

Although children may already have middle names, more tin can be added at the point of the Adoption Order application when their surname changes to that of the adoptive family.

Coram adds that the age of the child is important when adoptive parents are thinking about this.

The clemency spokesperson adds: 'With older children, there would also be a word about this change as part of the legal process of condign adopted. It takes time and piece of work with the adoptive parent and social worker to support them to feel ready and comfortable with this change.'

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

Although an adoptive kid's name might not be something you would choose, their parents need to put their needs first.

When Elliot and Steve (not their real names) adopted their daughter they admit that while they roughshod in love with her profile, they were a niggling unsure when they found out her name.

Steve said: 'We felt similar she was ours and we heard her name and it was just something nosotros would never have picked.

'Information technology sounds silly looking back at present merely it really freaked u.s. out. She was only a babe and we sort of idea "oh it won't matter if we do alter information technology" but nosotros realised how selfish that would exist and our social worker explained and advised that wouldn't be all-time.

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

'Equally she got older, our daughter has naturally picked upward 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 nascency name because her nickname is not very professional simply it does feel a petty more than personal for us.'

When can you make any changes to their name?

Information technology'southward besides of import to consider that you can't change a child's name the infinitesimal they go part of your family.

There is a fourth dimension period where they will take come up abode but the Adoption Club has not been made.

Coram explains: 'Information technology is important to annotation that when a kid is placed for adoption under the regulations the local say-so remains their legal parent until the Adoption Order is fabricated.

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

When the adoption is made, you can change their surname and add middle names if that is right for your child.

More than : Tin biological parents regain custody of their child after adoption?

More : 'I've felt the touch on of being adopted for 50 years – in that location needs to exist more ongoing support'

Adoption Month

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

For the next iv weeks, which includes National Adoption Calendar week from Oct 14-19, we will be speaking to people who have been affected by adoption in some manner, from those who chose to welcome someone else'southward child into their family to others who were that child.

We'll also be talking to experts in the field and answering every bit many questions every bit possible associated with adoption, too equally offer invaluable advice along the mode.

If you have a story to tell or want to share any of your ain communication please do get in touch at adoptionstories@metro.co.united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland.

Here is a pick of the stories from Adoption Month so far: