Naming your Baby - a Privilege or a Right

by Teresa McEntire | More from this Blogger

27 Feb 2006 05:58 PM

If you live in the United States it seems natural that as a parent you can name your child whatever you choose. But it seems that more and more parents are getting their creative juices flowing and choosing outlandish names for their children. Recently the topic of strange baby names was discussed in the families.com family forum. People posted names such as Rayne Sprinkle, Ditch Brown, April Paradise, Justa Cowgirl, Dick Head, and Boogie Hooker. What were their parents thinking?

Choosing a baby's name is an important step because they will have it for life. (See my blog Choosing your Baby's Name for tips) It is for this exact reason that much of Europe regulates the names that parents can choose for their baby. They feel that a baby's name isn't the parents, but the baby's. So government's have an obligation to protect babies by regulating name choice.

The rules vary from country to country but are similar in that they try to maintain tradition. The name must represent the sex of the child, names can't be chosen for their uniqueness, and last names cannot be used.

For example Spain has three main rules, names must:

• not be offensive
• be androgynous (used either for a boy or girl)
• not a nickname

Recently the International Herald Tribune published Denmark's policy on child naming. "People expecting children can choose a pre-approved name from a government list of 7,000 mostly West European and English names - 3,000 for boys, 4,000 for girls. A few ethnic names, like Ali and Hassan, have recently been added. But 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."

To most Americans the idea of having to appeal to an Investigation Department or a judge to name your child seems absurd. Yet many countries feel that it is not only important, but also necessary to protect the rights of the baby being named.

Would your favorite name pass a baby naming review board? If it would not, maybe you should consider something else.

Learn more about Teresa McEntire

Teresa McEntire grew up in Utah the oldest of four children. She currently lives in Kuna, Idaho, near Boise. She and her husband Gene have been married for almost ten years.

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