Who, What, Why: Why do some countries regulate baby names?

[evon]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21229475

Iknow this all to well since my given name was illegal until they changed the law here a few years ago. It has resulted in me having two names, one official and one family name, this despite having a name change after the law came into effect...

But i can understand some of the extremes, naming a child Vagina or such ect is not ok in my book...

The funny consequence for name laws was that the early immigrants here had to do like me, have an official name and an family name...or find a name that is used in both cultures...

[Nihtgenga]

We could use some regulation in America. An end to all the crazy made up and 'creatively spelled' names would be welcome.

[Roy]

In Poland there's an official list of names and if your desired name for you/or baby doesn't exist there you might have a problem with establishing this name. For Sure you cannot use name which is ambiguous when it comes to sex of the children (for example Mel) and these which don't have femaile suffixes. But this is slowly changing, because new Anglo-Saxon names are getting popular.

[Grenzland]

In Germany you can give your child every name you want.

But the name has to show the sex of the child and just if it will not harm the future of the child.

[larali]

It seems ridiculous that they are trying to regulate names in an age where there are so many people. I don't like crazy names either, but a unique name does set someone apart from the rest of the group when there are a hundred thousand people just like you out there. That is the purpose of a name! To identify you as an individual.

I guess I understand that they are trying to preserve some cultural dignity and good taste, but as time goes on and the population grows, it will prove unrealistic.

[Styggnacke]

I don't know why we are mentioned in this article, because the naming regulations here are extremely liberal. There was even a girl here recently who could legally be named Metallica...

[Grenzland]

It seems ridiculous that they are trying to regulate names in an age where there are so many people. I don't like crazy names either, but a unique name does set someone apart from the rest of the group when there are a hundred thousand people just like you out there. That is the purpose of a name! To identify you as an individual.

I guess I understand that they are trying to preserve some cultural dignity and good taste, but as time goes on and the population grows, it will prove unrealistic.

What about the parents that called their children Adolf Hitler and Aryan Hope?

[larali]

What about the parents that called their children Adolf Hitler and Aryan Hope?

Social pressures would prevent that from happening, usually.

[Grenzland]

Social pressures would prevent that from happening, usually.

But it happened. Good luck at school Aryan Hope and Adolf Hitler!

[Incal]

To avoid aberrations like this one: