Should there be a government list of approved names

[Viviennemary]

I believe some countries have such a list. A while ago I would have thought this was a very bad idea. Now I am beginning to wonder when I see some of the outlandish names some poor children are inflicted with. Or is it none of anybody's business.

There should be more restrictions placed on naming kids. I remember reading
a long time ago about a man in the UK who was banned from calling his
son Jeff, because it wasn't a proper name. He had to use Jeffrey or Geoffrey.

My bil is a teacher and has taught a 'blade' that should definitely not be allowed.

They have a list of approved names here in Sweden, we will probably give our baby my rare English sirname (unless my OH proposses before the birth... he doesn't know this) and we will have to apply to use my English name as its not on the list of approved names... it's a bit of a faff really!

No way! I prefer classic names but I love all aspects of quirky Britishness and creativity :)

It's like freedom of speech, isn't it? "I disapprove of what you say (name you use), but I will defend to the death your right to say (use) it."

I think it would be very hard to enforce. There are so many different cultures in this country that people could be banned from using a perfectly legit name that was unused in Britain but well known in their country of origin.

When my DM went to go and register my DBro's birth, the person at the registry office pulled such a face at the time that she changed his name!

New Zealand has a system under which certain characteristics can cause a name to be unregisterable. Seeing as it saved on poor child from being called Anal perhaps there's something in the idea.

I think it's a terrible idea.

In reality the amount of people who plump for names such as Cupcake or whatever is tiny. In Denmark there is a list of 7000 approved names. If you pick a name that isn't listed you have to go through a lenghty process of trying to get it approved. I think the church (even if you're not a member) is first stop.

The name Molli wasn't on the list because of its spelling. Should you really have to make a case for Molli? Even if you don't approve of creative spelling that's just ridiculous. Apparently 20% of names get rejected. Do you really want the government telling you what you can and can't call your child?

Apparently these are the steps:

Those wishing to deviate from the official list must seek permission at their local parish church, where all newborns' names are registered. A request for an unapproved name triggers a review at Copenhagen University's Names Investigation Department and at the Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs, which has the ultimate authority.

Denmark sounds like a country that loves lots of rules!

The rules in sweden are simalar to in denmark, the problem is that in sweden you need to get your baby's personal number as soon as possible because they have a free school system here (no private schools all schools are free on a first come first serve basis) so you need to put your childs name down for the schools you might want to choose (there is no limit you can be on the list for 20 schools if you want) as soon as they are born.. so if your child doesnt have their personal number quickly they may well miss out on going to the best schools or the school of your choice.

The part of society that it most discriminates against is immigrants who are more likely to choose a name not on the list.

So I presume you can't have a name approved ahead of the child arriving?

All that nonsense would make me angry and as you say it's obviously not a law that would make things easy for immigrants.

There are rules, there are some names which you definitely cannot name a child. Otherwise it is horses for courses.

i dont think you can... also you have to fight to have a double last name, they only let swedish people have 1 last name but immigrants can have 2 if they can proove cultural relevance, our baby will have 1 uk parent and 1 swedish parent and in that situation its hit and miss if you get to have 2 last names... but you can fight for it, not that anyone wants to be fighting over a name in the 1st few weeks of your baby's life!

that is what these countries are like... lots of control!

OOo dear no I don't like that idea one bit - I'm sure my name wouldn't be on the list and I love the fact that to this day I have never met anybody with my name.

In lots ways Scandinavian society gets it soooo right but then I hear of controlling laws like this. It would drive me up the wall.

I'd make a bad Scandinavian. I suppose this is all part of their Jante Law thingy, not wanting people to stand out or be different.

squoosh that is exactly right, I teach kids and I have met over 100 kids in the last 2 years, i have never met one with a name outside the top 100.

It's an amazing country to live in it really really is, the lack of class system and the equality is such a breath of fresh air, but because of this uniquness and standing out is not seen as a good thing because you should be no more special than the person next to you.

I make a rubbish scandinavian... I hope my baby takes after their pappa and makes a good Swede ;)

Much though some of the names suggested on here horrify me, I'd never support there being controls over what children can be called. It's simply too difficult to come up with a list of names that encompasses all cultures and backgrounds. Certainly wouldn't be happy with any sort of ecclesiastical involvement!! Kids can always change their name if they really hate it later on or permanently use their middle name. The top of a slippery slope into yet more government oppression!

No fucking way.

I think New Zealand have got it right in that they have rules for names but not a list of aproved names.

I'd support a few rules such as:

must have at least two letters
must not have any punctuation with the exception of ' in surnames
no obsenities

Horrible idea. My children have names that come from their Father's culture, they would certainly not be on the list. Why would anyone want government to have this kind of control, how depressing and boring.

Wtf? Of course not.

Deffo no, but like a pp, I think there should be rules in place to stop offensive or potentially damaging names.

Portugal list

It's interesting that the Portuguese list allows Aarao, but not Aaron, and agata, but not agatha. Many names that are not allowed, there is a version of them that can be allowed. I'm not agreeing that the anglisiced versions should not be allowed, but I suspect that the list conserves the traditional Portuguese names against the erosion that the anglicised spelling has.

Just read that Ines is the Portuguese form of Agnes. Both lovely names.

no way!

I love the beauty of being able to name my dc as I want and arranging the family names in a way that feels right for my family.

And what about English people living in Portugal for some years, is it fair to force their children to have Portuguese names, for ex?