Videshi parents' surrogate kids have desi names

What’s in a name? A lot. This could be the prompt reply if one poses this question to a foreign couple, whose children are the proud owners of Indian names. So, time is not far away when American kids boasts of names like Ram, Arjun, Maya, Durga, or Tara!

For many childless foreign couples, their connection with Indian culture and tradition strengthens after their babies are born through surrogate mothers here. And, the India connect gets extended, if not stronger, as many of them also skip christening their newborns with  their own traditional names, but prefer Indian monikers.

Not less than dozen couples, who came to Anand to get children through surrogate mothers, have chosen Indian names for their children.

Take the case of Adrienne Arrif of the US who named one of her twin daughters, India! Same was the case with Mike Cecile of Australia, who named his sons Jay and Ravi or Wendy Moore of the US who chose Misty and Miranda for her daughters.

So, why do foreign couples choose Indian names for their kids? US citizen Anthony Penta said since the children are born in India, their parents want their kids’ names to suggest that. “These names give respect to their birth mothers,” explained Penta, adding that since they were sure they would give Indian names to their kids, they had even bought books on Indian names, but ended with two names from Indian mythology — Rama and Arjuna.

Nayna Patel, in-vitro fertiliser (IVF) expert in Anand, who pioneered the IVF surrogacy in India, stated that the gesture was an emotional bonding with India. “As their children are born in India, they want them to know the fact. It is out of respect for India or the specific region that they do so,” she said.  When her two kids grow up, Penta plans to make them familiar with Gujarati culture.

“As there is a big Gujarati population near where we live, Indian names are hardly unusual. We plan to have our children attend Gujarati language classes,” he said.