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[twitchywoman.livejournal.com]

I am looking to this group for some help.  I am doing an article for one of my classes on name regulation like they have in Norway and Australia where you have to pick a name from a specific list.  I need to ask a few people some questions on what their opinions are on this topic and how you feel about it in the US.  If you are from a country that has name regulation, I'd love to "talk" to you as well about how that affects you.  Let me know if you would be interested in helping me out and wouldn't mind me using your name in an article, it won't be published anywhere, just for class.

Comments

[brittmarie.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't mind. PM me & I'll give you my email/answer your questions.

[dynamicgirl.livejournal.com]

I am from Australia and we have no such thing. You mean you have a selection of names you can use? Nope. There are some restricted names, but very very few. Basically you can put any name forward and you'd almost always be approved. You could call your kid something totally made up. But if you wanted to call your child God, you'd probably be refused a birth certificate and told to pick something else. I think you could name a child Pepsi if you wanted, or whatever.

[smallandneedy.livejournal.com]

I'm from Norway and we don't have a specific list. We do, however, have a naming law where it states names that will directly be a burden to the child won't be allowed. The consequence is that a completely strange and bizarre name might not be approved and you'll have to apply to the state in order to get them to maybe approve it.

[jordle.livejournal.com]

Australia doesn't have a rule like that.

[halliwell66.livejournal.com]

Also from Australia & agree with Dynamicgirl.

Most states/countries birth registry seem to have some regulations about punctuation, no numbers, the use of company names as birth names etc

I have a friend living in Denmark, my impression was that while they did have government approved list of about 7000 names if you want off-the-list you just have to pay a fee and it will be reviewed.

It can take months but if they approve a name once it gets added to the list so they update it each year. Denmark now has names like Panda on the girls list and Awesome on the boy.

Norway doesnt use a list anymore, but maybe look into Iceland it seems to be quite regulated still. Good luck with your assignment.

[madeyemads.livejournal.com]

Your research thus far is very flawed. No such thing as name regulation here in Australia or in Norway.

[blueorange94.livejournal.com]

I think you're thinking of Iceland, not Norway. I remember the 4Real naming controversy in New Zealand and Talula Does The Hula, and there have been cases in the US where names like Messiah and Adolf Hitler Somebody have had to have their days in court for whatever reason.

[ladydreamfire.livejournal.com]

I'm an American citizen so whatever questions you have for the U.S. portion let me know. I'd be happy to help.

[cremepuff.livejournal.com]

I'm from the US. I'd love to help out.