AJ McLean and his wife, Rochelle McLean, just announced that their daughter, Ava changed her name to Elliott last year. And according to the Backstreet Boys member, the name just stuck with their family and friends.
AJ McLean Explains Daughter Ava’s Name Change
On his Instagram account, AJ McLean clarified that his daughter changing his name to Elliott doesn’t have anything to do with gender. After all, Elliott has done the same thing since she was 5 years old.
“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],” he wrote.
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AJ McLean’s Wife, Rochelle McLean Asks Fans To Be Kind To Elliott, Their Family
His wife, Rochelle, is asking fans to be kind after hearing the news about their daughter changing her name. She also stressed that there’s nothing wrong with a child changing her name because she has the right to do so. After all, even before she was born, her parents chose a name for her, but there are no guarantees that this is the name that she would identify with.
“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, that’s how Ava became Elliott. 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,” Rochelle said.
AJ McLean And Rochelle McLean Have Been Calling Their Daughter Elliott Throughout The Past Year
Prior to their official announcement, McLean had already dropped a hint regarding his daughter’s name change. The doting dad gave his daughters a shoutout on their first day of school.
“After two and half years of home school, these two beauties are back to school! Lyric is starting kindergarten and Elliott (Ava) is in fourth grade! I can’t believe it! I’m so proud of these girls. As much as I am going to miss them, I’m excited to watch them spread their wings and fly!” he wrote.
During a previous interview, McLean was asked if he and his wife had any plans to have more kids, and he said no. The musician said that two is a wonderful number, and the fact that his daughters have a four-year age gap is just perfect for their family, according to Us Weekly.
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