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

[krosp.livejournal.com]

What an interesting topic. Especially because a lot of people reacted so strongly against it. That just sort of reminded me that Americans tend to be very obsessed with "freedom", more so than a lot of other countries. In Australia we are lucky to have peace and freedom in our lifestyle but we don't have the same kind of "Freedom of speech" as in USA but that makes no difference.

Our naming rules, from the state of QLD are this:

"Parents can decide their own spelling when naming their new baby, but there are regulations governing this. For example the name can not be obscene, include symbols which can cannot be pronounced, include an official title or rank or be a statement."

I think this is protective enough of the child, without restricting the freedom of the parents. Why should someone have the freedom to name their child a swear word?

[bunnsidhe.livejournal.com]

Hello. :)

Thank you for illustrating my point. I think some people don't read it all the way through. I did mention your religion and ethnicity is taken into account. They are trying to prevent things like CrapHead or LaPimp or something. Their natural response is: "I can raise my child any way I want to!" No, you can't. You cannot beat your child, for example. Naming guidelines are an extentsion of child welfare rules and laws. Naming a kid a swear word is child abuse.