Gabriella Ferlita
Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean has said that he supports his daughter’s decision to change her name to Elliott.
The singer, 44, opened up in a recent interview about his child’s change of heart about her name - which her father said is ‘not’ to do with questions around her gender identity.
In an interview with PEOPLE, McLean revealed that he will stand by his nine-year-old child’s decision to change her name from Ava to Elliott.
He said to the publication: "When my daughter asked to change her name to Elliott, initially, I didn't know if it was a transgender thing, which it is not, but it is a personal choice.
"And it is her body, it's her name, it's her everything. And she's still Ava. She'll always be Ava to me,” he said to the outlet.
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He added: "But at the same time, whatever reasoning it is, that's hers, and I'm going to support it a million percent, my wife will [too].”
Back in August, the performer’s wife, Rochelle DeAnna Mclean, posted a photo of their kids Elliott and Lyric heading back to school, holding balloons up with their names.
Onlookers commented in support of the forward-thinking parents and their children on Instagram, with one person penning: “Cannot tell you the amount of Nicole's I had in my classes growing up and I wanted a unique name. Love Elliott! Happy first day of school kids. Hope they have fun.”
“Love ‘Elliott’, another said. “I changed my name to ‘Missy’ once in grade school when I had to go to a summer program. I can't tell you how many times people tried to call me by the new name and I flat out didn't respond because I had totally forgotten.”
A third fan wrote: “I absolutely LOVE this! I pray and hope Elliott and Lyric have a fantastic first day and whole year!!! Sending my love!”
Meanwhile, another person defended the child’s choice to be called ‘Elliott’, writing: “To the people that think Elliott is only a boys name. It’s a unisex name like Alex or Cameron."
They added: “Her wanting to be called Elliott is no different than a child wanting to go by a nickname or a middle name when there are multiple classmates with the same first name. Happy first day of school girls!”