The purpose of the thesis is to explore the significance of names and name changes for children placed in foster care, as perceived by professionals who work with them in various capacities, in relation to identity development and belonging, and to explore the perception of children's participation regarding these issues. Qualitative interviews have been conducted with sixteen individuals who, in various ways through their professional roles, come in contact with children placed in foster care. The study was analyzed using thematic analysis, focusing on concepts such as identity, belonging and affinities. The results indicate that the professionals believe that the names of the children placed in foster care are important when it comes to identity formation and the sense of belonging, as a name carries emotions and reflects one´s origin and membership. Results also show that the general perception is that the primary factor for whether foster children wish to retain their original surname or change it is the relationship with the biological parents and the nature of their contact with them. The perception is also that the child's desire to share the same surname as the foster family is tied to their wish not to stand out in their environment. Furthermore, the results emphasize the importance of recognizing each foster child as a unique individual with unique relationships, noting that there is no standard model for how the sense belonging and identity should be or created in relation to their family home or the family of origin. The study also highlights the significant challenge faced by adults involved in the cooperation around children placed in foster care to integrate children's rights to participation and influence in the decisions affecting both the present and the future