NAMES, NAMES, NAMES

Lots of people have asked about her name. These are my thoughts so far!

Whatever 'it' is will have a Christian name, then family name, Chinese name and finally surname!

Names are really important and as a teacher nearly every name has an association.

If he's a boy (unlikely but possible) then it's simple. He will be Jonathan. His family name will be Nicholas after my step-father (note to self - must check if he had an 'h', not so daft as we always called him Nick). There's no debate on boy's names!

If she's a girl then it's WAY more complicated! I promised Mum that if I ever had a daughter then she would have the second name Elizabeth - just as Mum did and I do. So I'll have to save my favourite name for my second daughter as Eliza Elizabeth just isn't fair!!

Most days she's Clara, sometimes Emilia (Milly) and occassionally she was Joanna (until I realised that would rule out Jonathan for any future son!) I also really like Alice / Alys.

As for the Chinese name it depends on what the Chinese name sounds like in English. Mostly the Chinese give symbolic names for strength but this could be weakened - depending on who named her and the SWI (Social Welfare Institution, i.e. orphanage) she comes from. I am not going to give her a name with a poor or suggestive English translation. Many babies have the name 'Bao', I'd really like this for my child as it means Treasure (Mum's maiden name) - I know it's unlikely but anything's possible!

There's alot to say about Chinese name formation - but I'll save that for another day!

Lastly (for now) all this neat theory will probably go out of the window when I see the photo or when I meet him/her!