The "How I Got My Name" Project

A few months ago, Kristina's class was focusing on family history....which included the family tree, family traditions, and the "How I Got My Name" project.

When she came home with the note to do a write-up on how she got her name, my heart skipped a beat for a quick second.  Hmmmmm.  How much can she write about "Kristina" when all we know is that we were told she was named by her birth mother?  And can we entirely trust that info from Russia?  So I reached out to a group of other Russian Adoptive Mamas asking for input.  And it was just what we needed -- she can focus on her middle name since WE gave that to her...for many reasons!

It was a great project because Kristina asked some questions...nothing too deep...but just enough so that she knows her name is special in so many ways.

I felt it was a good time to document this project because earlier today, Kristina received the Sacrament of First Reconciliation.  At that service, I truly felt some divine intervention.... and more on that soon to come!  Stay tuned!!!

This is our daughter's name story....from her perspective:

How I Got My Name

by Kristina DeAnn Deary

Two different moms gave me my name.  My mom in Russia gave me life and my mom in America gave me a life to live.

My Russian mom gave me the name, Kristina.  It is spelled like this in Russian: Кристина.  It means "Follower of Christ."

My American mom and dad gave me my middle name, DeAnn.  The name DeAnn means "Divine."  They chose DeAnn because they wanted to name me after special women in my family.  My great-grandmother's name was Anne.  Both of my grandmothers have Ann in their name:  Marianne and Tracey Ann.  My mom's confirmation name is Anne.

After my new full name, Kristina DeAnn Deary, was made official, we found out my Russian mom's name is Anastasia.  That's another form of Ann! 

The Author

We love you, Kristina DeAnn Deary!  xoxo