Birth Mother Matters in Adoption #85: Naming Your Baby Adding adoption into the equation, adds another layer.  This is a very, very touchy subject for all parties involved.  This is the way  the law works, at least here in Arizona.  A birth mother can put whatever name she chooses on the birth certificate.  The adoptive family can have the baby’s name legally changed when the adoption is finalized.  That being said, naming can be a very, very touchy and emotional experience  for all parties involved.  Usually, the baby’s last name remains the birth mother’s until the adoption is finalized. In the best situations, birth mothers and adoptive families decide on the baby’s name together and that name is kept.  Here are some other situations that seem to be the next best scenarios: The birth  mother and adoptive family each choose one of the baby’ ...