Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean and his wife, Rochelle Karidis, are giving their 9-year-old daughter the freedom to choose her own name.
Rochelle took to her Instagram Story on Wednesday to share their daughter Ava has requested to have her name changed to “Elliot.”
In her post, Rochelle noted her daughter’s name change is not a “gender thing” and she’s actually changed her name a few times since she was five.
AJ’s wife wrote:
For those asking…not that it’s anyone’s business but Elliot’s name change is not a gender thing. ‘Ava’ has changed her name quite a few times since she was about five.
Last year she asked us to start calling her Elliot and it stuck. She wanted something unique that no one else had. (There are so many Ava’s.)
I didn’t really see the harm in respecting her desire to be unique. Come to think of it, it’s a little odd that as parents we choose names for people we haven’t even met yet and expect them to forever [identify] as that person!
Anyway…so that’s how Ava became Elliot.
Rochelle also asked for people to be kind.
I knew once I put it out there people would have opinions, but be kind.
She’s just a kid trying to make her way in this crazy world! I just want her to know she can always be whoever she wants to be ?
See her original post below.
Earlier that day, both Rochelle and AJ McLean shared back-to-school photos of their girls.
Lyric, 5, is headed to Kindergarten, and Elliot is headed to 4th grade!
Wishing them and all of our ICC kids an amazing and safe school year.
Have you ever wanted to change your name at any point in your life?
Let me know in the comments below or join the convo on our socials.
