AJ McLean's wife Rochelle reveals why daughter Ava, 9, changed name to Elliott: 'Not a gender thing'

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Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean's wife Rochelle explained why her eldest daughter, born Ava, changed her name to Elliott. After announcing her two children Lyric, five, and Elliott, nine, were heading back to school after nearly three years of homeschool, the make-up artist, 40, clarified that the change of moniker was 'not a gender thing.''For those asking… not that it's anyone's business,' she wrote on her Instagram Story. 'Elliott's name change is not a gender thing. 'Ava' has changed her name quite a few times since she was about five.

Supportive family: Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean's wife Rochelle explained why her eldest daughter, born Ava, changed her name to Elliott.She continued: 'Last year she asked us to start calling her Elliott and it stuck.

She wanted something unique that no one else had. (There are so many Ava's.)'  Rochelle noted that she sees no '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… so that's how Ava became Elliott,' the mom-of-two revealed. Wanting to be unique: The make-up artist, 40, clarified that her and AJ's little girl's choice to change her moniker was 'not a gender thing' 'For those asking… not that it's anyone's business,' she wrote on her Instagram Story. 'Elliott's name change is not a gender thing. 'Ava' has changed her name quite a few times since she was about five'  'I knew once I put it out there people would have opinions, but be kind,' Rochelle concluded. 'She's just a kid trying to make her way in this crazy world!