Over the last month we have been having family discussions and debates over the names of the children. Names are very special to us as our biological children all carry names that tell a story and have a unique meaning to who they are. We wanted to choose names that were true to Ethiopia, true to the children's heritage, but names that had an "American" sound to them too (basically so we could pronounce it). It will be a process enough for the children to be different by race and origin let alone different with a name that would constantly get the response of "What? How do you say that again?" I understand there are different opinions on this, but this is our choice to re-name the children and open their new chapter of life with us. We will treasure their birth names and have intentions of using their birth name as their middle name.
There is a family in our local area who are from Ethiopia. It has been a blessing to get to know them and they have taught us so much about the people, culture, foods, and such of Ethiopia. One thing that the wife shared with me was how names are given in Ethiopia. Often first names are given based on an event that happened near or during the birth. Such as the baby scarcely made it, but was a fighter, so her name would mean "she is determined" or something like that. Also, unlike here, in Ethiopia everyone's middle name is their father's first name and everyone's last name is their grandfather's first name. Marriages do not share last names nor would the children have the same last name as the parents. Being that my husband's name is Todd, then all of our children's middle name would be "Todd" and their last name would be his father's name. Interesting.
After scanning websites by random searches we had a near dozen names that we liked, well, that I liked. I asked our Ethiopian friend how to pronounce the names and the meanings. One name we really liked we had totally been pronouncing it incorrectly, so that one didn't work. Another name we liked we were told it was a "primitive" name and not of good standing. It amazed me how she knew what region each of the names were from. Made me realize what a melting pot we live in here in the U.S. I was fascinated by the purity of this culture.
So, want to know the final vote? We were all in agreement on the boy name.....drum roll.....Tarik! Tarik or Tariku (tar-ick) is used as both a boy or a girl name. Similar to my name, Erin, that it is either a boy or girl name. Tarik means "I have a story to tell" or "history."
Now, the girl name- that took some serious voting! We had it down to Liat (Lee-aught), Aida, or Elsa. And the winner is......Elsa! Elsa is the short name for Elizabeth, which means "a promise from God."
And there you have it: Tarik and Elsa!
These adorable hand-stitched dolls were a gift to Todd and I from my mother-in-law. She crocheted them with her new grandchildren in mind and heart!
Please pray for Tarik and Elsa that their hearts are prepared to join our family. Pray for their eyes to be prepared to see us when we meet, and see the love in our eyes for them!
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