Baby Name Rules...

[bunnsidhe.livejournal.com]

I mentioned in my intro post that I currently live in Scandinavia. In Denmark there is an acceptable list of baby names. This means you are not allowed to name your child a name not on the list without approval (I believe this goes for odd spellings, too). The list has been relaxed somewhat because of immigration of non-Scandinavians into Denmark--but your best bet is to prove the name is significant to your religion or culture. So no Moon Units. Actually, my mother-in-law told me her parents were not allowed to name her sister Mia back around 1960.

Do you think this is a good idea so kids don't end up with cruel names?

Comments

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

I'd say that a rule like that would go against some pretty fundamental freedoms we have here in the US, including the freedom to raise our own children. I don't think the government has any place restricting (unharmful) family practices, whether they are religious, naming, traditional or cultural in nature.

Plus, as Shakespeare pointed out a long time ago, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet...and we are completely free to create our own nicknames, go by our middle names, or even legally change our names, as some in this community (who I am sure have really normal names they just don't like) have done.

[bunnsidhe.livejournal.com]

In Scandinavia it's not meant to restrict freedom--it's meant to protect children (I lived in Sweden where even spanking a child was considered child abuse). It's not a list where you can't name your daughter Madison (it's not strict like it used to be) but you probably would not be able to name your child Pilot Inspektor or Audio Science.
I mentioned in a reply to someone else that I can see it both ways so I also agree with your points. I suppose if your name is horrible enough you could change it. I won't change my name because I don't want to hear my mother. :)

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

Where can you see this list? I'd be interested to see the "strangest" name on the list

In some places I could see Biblical names going on that list because of "separation of church and state." Some governments want to remove the Bible from society so badly I wouldn't put it past them.

[bunnsidhe.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure. You could try to find it online but I imagine it would be quite large and they are always expanding it. You don't name your baby in the hospital. You have up until a year to name them. The name is recorded with the church parish, as far as I know. The name is decided then as acceptable or not (and you can make a case for the name if they deny you). I have never had a child here so I am not sure about it. It is not just Scandinavia--it is other European countries as well.

There are plenty of people in Europe with Biblical names and they are so mainstream (like David) so I don't see that happening.