Can I change a kid's name ?

I guess that depending on how old, yes. I feel that you should keep some part of their original name, though, so that they can have somewhat of a memory/reminder of their first life, whether they want it or not.

In America, you can change the names at any time. I was adopted and my name was changed at the age of 14. My sister was adopted at a young age and her name was changed right away.

Which name? First or last?

I have adopted and you definately can change the childs name in the US and if done at the time of the adoption it doesn’t cost anything extra. When the social worker fills out the paperwork they ask you how you want the name to appear on the birth certificate because when you adopt in the US a new birth certificate is generated with the adoptive parent/s listed as the parent/s.

first name , because when you legally adopt them they take you last name [ as taking part of your family ]

I want to know if it can be done in Europe Asia and Africa

Thanks for responses i’ll wait for a few more.

@Hibernate Yes, you can change the first name in America. My name was Ekaterina and they changed my name to Kaitlin when I moved to the United States.

I think that denying a child their culture is wrong. Their name is a part of the culture they came from most times. Its ok to pick a nickname or something if the name is hard to pronounce, but kids can have issues with identity if their name is changed and they’re old enough to recognize it.

Can you? Yes. Should you? Probably not.

Yes, in America you can legally change a child’s name (first, middle, and last) at any age. It’s just a mater of petitioning the court for the change and them granting it.

@KatetheGreat how did you feel about having your name changed at such an old age?

Oh, changing it to something they like and agree to is one thing. Changing it to something you like just because you’re the parent now… ugh.

@uberbatman I didn’t mind it. I wanted to erase everything from my past, so the name change helped me get over it.

@KatetheGreat ahhh cool. I have a few friends who moved from Asian countries at a similar age and changed their names when they came to America and most of them seemed to like the idea. I dont know how I’d feel about it, I guess thats cause I really really like my name.

As generally the trend with coming from Asian countries changing your name to an “american” name thats easier to pronounce and all when you come, I have one friend who completely went assbackwards with this. Her name was Han, when she came to America she changed it to Tessarossa. :P really cool name though.

I have a friend who adopted two Chinese girls at two different times. Both girls were very young. She and her husband gave them American first names but kept their Chinese first name as a middle name to keep a link to their pasts.

What I think can be wonderful is if a child is older you are able to let them help make choice in name, lets the child and family get a chance to bond over it a bit. For some that are being adopted from another country it could be the first real thing you have done with your new family. Now that my daughter is now 3 I have talked to her and been able to ask her if she wants and likes what I want to change her name to. It sort of makes her feel like she has choice in her name. I have had her since she was 3mths old but since she was a foster child she had to remain with the name at birth until she is adopted. We have also discussed going to court and talking to the judge so it will all be an adventure to her to have the adoption.

I agree with @anartist but I also think it depends on the childs age. Adding to their name is ok when they are really young and don’t know the difference but an older child may feel like changing their name is denying they are of a different culture. So I would go with how the kid feels about their name in that case.
But to answer your question, in the US you can change the name. I’m not sure but I think in an adoption case you can request to change their name when doing the adoption.

I don’t think it right really, to change their name, especially if there old enough to know it. But that’s just my opinion.

I was adopted and had my entire name changed at the time of adoption.