Icelandic government: Your daughter's name is against our 'rules'

A 15-year-old girl is suing Iceland because it will not allow her to use her given name, Blaer. The name is not on the "Personal Names Register, a list of 1,712 male names and 1,853 female names that fit Icelandic grammar and pronunciation rules and that officials maintain will protect children from embarrassment."

http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/01/03/state-approved-names-only-please-icelandic-girl-suing-government-over-right-to-use-her-name/

 

This thread could go real bad real quick.

Dakota and Montana say hi.

 

High school sports writers all over America are lobbying Congress to pass a similar law so they'll always know how to spell Brittany, Lindsay, Ashley, etc.

 

I don't think this is uncommon.

I remember recently reading about an EU country - perhaps France or even the UK - having to approve names. I can't recall the context, though I'll try.

 

I would sign any petition that mandates one spelling of the name Kaitlyn

 

Most of you parents who visit this board probably have given horrible names to your kids. I hope you realize that.

We need someone to develop a list of acceptable names for this country, too. That's a wonderful idea.

 

I think it's an interesting article. Iceland isn't the only country that has such rules. Islam has certain name parameters, too; not sure about other ethnic/religious/other groups.

And God knows I would have LOVED it if someone had vetoed my mom on my given name, which she made up.

Unless I missed it, the article didn't address is why this is coming up now, at age 15. I would have been more interested in knowing that.

Odd to have two almost identical photos in the story. I thought the same photo had been duplicated on accident but then realized one has a dark background and another light.

 

Also, Blaer's mom is pretty hot.

 

Germany. Comes up a lot because of the U.S. military presence there. Among other things, they won't let you give a name that is customarily for girls to a boy and vice versa.

 

Actually, the story did address that, sort of.



Blaer is identified as “Stulka” — or “girl” — on all her official documents, which has led to years of frustration as she has had to explain the whole story at the bank, renewing her passport and dealing with the country’s bureaucracy.

Her mother is hoping that will change with her suit, the first time someone has challenged a names committee decision in court.

 

Haha. I wouldn't peg you for a horrible-name-idea kinda guy.

 

If we ban horrible name ideas, then only high school athletes will have horrible names