https://mothership.sg/2025/06/name-daughter-after-sun-xueling/
News
Khine Zin Htet
For the past five years, 38-year-old Claire Ho had been trying to conceive and prepare for parenthood.
In October 2024, she saw the double lines on her pregnancy test kit.
Claire and her husband, John Chua, 36, were both shocked and overjoyed.
When it came time to choose their baby’s Chinese name, the couple decided to name their first child after someone they deeply admired during their parenthood journey: Sun Xueling, Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of National Development and the Ministry of Transport.
"We attended her talks on parenting, her children’s book events and participated in her online events as well," she said.
Over the years, Ho said Sun’s insights had been instrumental in helping them prepare for parenthood, the mum-to-be added.
She cited, for example, a talk on support measures for young families held at Reach, which is a department involved in gathering feedback on major issues from citizens.
Sun has "always championed early childhood and parenthood" in Singapore, Ho noted.
Having spent five years preparing for this next chapter in their lives, the couple said Sun's values and advocacy played a significant role in shaping their journey.
Photo courtesy of Claire Ho
Her preparation for parenthood consisted of understanding the grants and subsidies available for parents and learning how to communicate within a family unit.
But the couple took some time to decide on a Chinese name.
Eventually, they chose to name their daughter after Sun, whom they both "admire and respect".
Ho added that she sees Sun as a "person worthy of representation for women empowerment".
In March 2025, they invited Sun to their baby’s gender reveal party, where they also shared the news about the name.
Sun’s reaction? A mix of surprise and joy.
"She was kind of surprised and happily acknowledged. And we took the opportunity to get her children’s book signed, dedicating [it] to our daughter," Ho said.
Photo courtesy of Claire Ho
She pointed out that many parents name their children after well-known figures.
"We’re naming our daughter after someone who is a professional and is respected," she said.
Ho also emphasised that even though others may share the name "Xueling", their inspiration is derived specifically from Sun.
Her due date is in June, and she is eagerly anticipating the arrival of her baby girl.
So far, her pregnancy has been smooth, and she feels mentally prepared, largely thanks to the parenthood classes they attended.
She said: "My husband and I believe in forward planning, like the saying goes, 'If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail'."
News
S'pore woman, 38, gets pregnant after 5 years of trying, names daughter after Sun Xueling
She said Sun's parenthood talks shaped her journey.Khine Zin Htet
June 05, 2025, 02:37 AM
For the past five years, 38-year-old Claire Ho had been trying to conceive and prepare for parenthood.
In October 2024, she saw the double lines on her pregnancy test kit.
Claire and her husband, John Chua, 36, were both shocked and overjoyed.
When it came time to choose their baby’s Chinese name, the couple decided to name their first child after someone they deeply admired during their parenthood journey: Sun Xueling, Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of National Development and the Ministry of Transport.
Parenthood classes
Speaking to Mothership, Ho shared that they began following Sun’s work in May 2023, after coming across her talks on early childhood development and parenting."We attended her talks on parenting, her children’s book events and participated in her online events as well," she said.
Over the years, Ho said Sun’s insights had been instrumental in helping them prepare for parenthood, the mum-to-be added.
She cited, for example, a talk on support measures for young families held at Reach, which is a department involved in gathering feedback on major issues from citizens.
Sun has "always championed early childhood and parenthood" in Singapore, Ho noted.
Having spent five years preparing for this next chapter in their lives, the couple said Sun's values and advocacy played a significant role in shaping their journey.
Her preparation for parenthood consisted of understanding the grants and subsidies available for parents and learning how to communicate within a family unit.
Naming their daughter after Sun Xueling
After finding out they would be having a girl, the couple decided to name her "Lilith".But the couple took some time to decide on a Chinese name.
Eventually, they chose to name their daughter after Sun, whom they both "admire and respect".
Ho added that she sees Sun as a "person worthy of representation for women empowerment".
In March 2025, they invited Sun to their baby’s gender reveal party, where they also shared the news about the name.
Sun’s reaction? A mix of surprise and joy.
"She was kind of surprised and happily acknowledged. And we took the opportunity to get her children’s book signed, dedicating [it] to our daughter," Ho said.
Addressing potential concerns
When asked whether she had any concerns about naming her child after a politician, Ho said she does not foresee any issues.She pointed out that many parents name their children after well-known figures.
"We’re naming our daughter after someone who is a professional and is respected," she said.
Ho also emphasised that even though others may share the name "Xueling", their inspiration is derived specifically from Sun.
Giving birth soon
Now in the final stretch of her pregnancy, Ho is expecting to give birth "any time soon".Her due date is in June, and she is eagerly anticipating the arrival of her baby girl.
So far, her pregnancy has been smooth, and she feels mentally prepared, largely thanks to the parenthood classes they attended.
She said: "My husband and I believe in forward planning, like the saying goes, 'If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail'."
