Thursday, March 04, 2010

What's In A Name?



Pat and I both have strong feelings regarding the naming of our children. We have always felt that it would be impossible to label a child with a name before ever seeing their face or getting a glimpse of their personality. That is not to say that we have not repeated a name spotted in the rolling credits at the end of a movie or poured over many an internet “naming” site narrowing the field. When naming Devi, we found that the names we had become attached to while waiting to find out who she was, did not match the face of the child in question.
The names we grew a fondness for not only fit this child but, they also played a significant role in this adoption. They helped to bring confidence that we were being lead and guided to the right
child to join our family.

Praying for Devi’s baby sister has become a night time ritual from the time our first application was accepted. Early on, Devi gave this unknown child a pet name. No matter how we referred to the child, Devi called her Souli. She could not explain where the name came from or if she had heard it somewhere before, but for whatever reason, it stuck. You can imagine my surprise when I found out the name of the child we were considering, whose name appears to be a lengthened version of Souli....Sonalika.


One of the first steps of the many taken to become paper ready for this adoption was to have physicals done and have our doctor notarize statements about our health. While I was in having my physical, I asked our physician, who happens to have been born and raised in India, to suggest a couple of Hindi names that she liked. Listed on that prescription pad were the names Tara, meaning star and Antara, meaning
brightest star. Pat and I fell in love with Tara and so I tucked that piece of paper into my wallet, where it has remained for nearly the past two years.


Last week while examining the medical reports about Sonalika, I went to the website of the orphanage where she is currently living. I was impressed with the amount of information regarding the facility and their long list of services designed to help young mothers rejoin their families and find employment. Each division has been given a name. Hunting and pecking through the site I came across some information that gave me a goose-bump moment. The special needs area where Sonalika lives is named Tara!


Periodically when I find a bit of inspiration in the form of a quote, I’ll cut it out and tape it to the margin of my computer screen at work. It is silly really, because as time goes by, the words tend to blur and these permanent fixtures to my screen, become small pieces of paper with worn edges, covered with letters that rarely get read anymore. One of those quotes has been taped there since before Devi’s adoption, but while cleaning the other day, I rediscovered it and took a moment to read it again.


It states, “Every worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has its stages of drudgery and triumph: a beginning, a struggle, and a victory.” — Mahatma Gandhi

I've always thought those words describe an adoption perfectly and had that on my mind while I combed another naming site. That is when I found the name Treya, which is a Hindi name meaning walking three paths. With three great candidates, we presented Devi with the names Souli, Tara and Treya. Devi made her choice and it was unanimous.

Her first name will beTreya. I can not think of a more worthwhile accomplishment, enduring drudgery and triumph, having been turned down by over 100 agencies before finding someone to listen to our story at Journey's of the Heart. Although she is only one year old, she has endured a beginning with her birth parents, a struggle correcting her club feet and adjusting to her new caregivers at the orphanage where she now lives and finally, her victory in finding her forever family. These are the three paths she is walking; simple, beautiful and true.

The first of her middle names is Marie after Pat's mother. Known as Oma to our children, she has a kind, nurturing and creative spirit. Her artistry flows through her hands molding the earth, in the form of clay into beautiful works of art. This natural command of form and space will be an inspiration to Sonalika as she continues to grow and learn to use the special hands God has given her and which enabled us the chance become her forever family.

Although we do not know who gave her the Sanskrit name, Sonalika, it belongs to her and is hers to keep.

So there you have it. Our youngest Indian princess will be known as Treya Marie Sonalika Ross.

18 comments:

The Labontes said...

Beautiful - it fits perfectly.

Charlotte said...

Beautiful name.
I'm so happy for you.

Do you more pictues? Do you know
Do you know how long waiting will last?

C'est vraiment trop chouette for your family

Peter and Melissa said...

An absolutely perfect name, so unique and so beautiful.

Shad and Maggie Alsworth said...

What a beautiful name! I love how it fits her story so perfectly! It's amazing how things just seem to fall into place just at the right moments! I can't wait to follow your travels!

The B Family said...

Beautiful name. . . and so meaningful, too.

Recently stumbled upon your blog and am enjoying reading about your Indian adoption journeys.

Fenwick 5 said...

Isn't it amazing about her name?!! Love it,divinely directed. I am so happy that God directed you to your daughter,isn't it a great and peaceful feeling knowing that she is meant to be with you? CONGRATS from all of us! I can't wait to watch your story unfold!!
That's how it was with Maiya. For some reason we couldn't just navigate away from this name,now we know why,she was born in MAY!! That's exactly how we say it too and of course beautiful Reela had to stay then my middle name,so Maiya Reela-Gayle Fenwick. Gidget

Karen said...

Oh, it's too beautiful! So, so perfect.
Treya, what a blessing you already are to your family. How loved you are! Come home soon, baby girl!

xo Karen

Laura said...

Very poetic and beautiful. I believe names should have meaning as well. We love telling our boys about their names and you can look forward to telling her that story as well!! So happy for your family... what a ride you all have endured to find her!
Laura

Jeff and Leslie said...

We faced a naming dilemma when trying to chose a name for our son. We were planning on keeping his given name as a middle name, and choosing a new first name for him. We went to India armed with a short-list of potential candidates, waiting to see which one fit him best, but after only a few hours, we decided that he didn't look or act like any of those names (whatever that means), he was simply "Manu", his given name. Then of course began weeks of trying to pick out a new middle name for him, LOL.

Lynda said...

Loved reading the story of her name. That is beautiful!

Lynda

Todd and Michele said...

Beautiful!

Peter and Nancy said...

Looking up Indian girl names is one of my chief pastimes these days. :o) But, like you and Pat, we just can't decide until we see a face, and find out the name that's been hers all along.

I love the story of Treya's name, as well as the name itself! Thanks for sharing your announcement with us.
Nancy

Kristi W. said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the name. So unique and beautiful. Perfectly matches the little beauty who will own it.

:)Kristi W.

Anonymous said...

A beautiful name with a wonderful story. Perfect for your new princess.

Traci said...

Oh, so pretty! I look forward to the picture of Treya with her sweet family!

Anonymous said...

Julie:
Sounds like a beautiful name for a beautiful little girl! I am so happy for you all.How long do you think the process will take?
Leveta

Emily said...

There is so much to a name, and you have put a tremendous amount of love and thought into your little Indian Princess's name! It is truly beautiful, and so fitting. She will love to hear the story of how it came to be. And most importantly, she will love to hear how all of you were wishing for her, and loving her, before you even knew what she looked like.

Emily

jasonliberty said...

Oh my goodness!! Beautiful! When I got to the last line of your post, my breath was taken! That is a wonderful, post! I love IT!!!!!

Liberty