We didn't adopt but my parents were foster parents while I was growing up. Two of the girls were placed with the same family (they were sisters) and adopted. The adoptive family changed the girls names (they were 5 and 7 at the time). I have spoken to the one now that she is an adult and said she barely remembers being another name other than the one that her name was change to.
I have other friends who have adopted from outside of the U.S. and the children were over 1 and both families gave the children a new first name and kept their original name as a middle name.
I think it may depend on how open you plan to be with your child regarding the adoption. If you do get a 2 year old, they likely won't remember life before you but a 5 year old might. If you are fine with answering questions like "why was I called ___________ before I lived with you?" then go for the change, but if you're planning on not talking about the adoption much, I'd keep the name the same.
FWIW, I was adopted by my dad (still lived with birth mother) at age 4. I do remember bits of life before dad came into our lives. However, I was NEVER EVER allowed to ask questions about my biological father or to mention the adoption. I personally don't recommend going that route just because I think it caused me more confusion than anything.
__________________ Brooke (27)
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DH (27)
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