Controversy on baby names

[carlos]

These last days there has been a curious controversy in Spain. The civil registry refuses to allow a couple to name their newborn baby "Lobo" (wolf) since they consider that name is offensive to the baby's dignity.

 

While it's true that fifty years ago wolves were seen as vermin that had to be exterminated, today most people consider them noble and beautiful animals. Besides, León (lion), Marta (marten) or Paloma (dove) are common names despite being animals. More than 20,000 people have signed a petition in the end it seems the registry is backpedalling due to the social pressure and will allow the parents to have it their way.

 

All of this raises an interesting debate. On the one hand it's logical that parents have the right to name their babies whatever they like. On the other hand, it sounds equally reasonably that the civil registry has the authority to intervene in the few cases where irresponsible parents choose really inappropriate names. Everybody will agree that it shouldn't be allowed to name a baby Worm, Crap or Satan. But where to draw the line? What if parents want to name their baby Horse, Puppy, Tablecloth... ?

[New World Explorer]

Imagine if the Tablecloth had a brother Chair and sister Lamp and the surname Livingroom 

[Qapla]

I agree. I had pondered a bit about this while listening to some sports talk just the other day. Some of the US athletes have "interesting " names. 

 

In addition to some inventive first names, there have been ones like Major, Prince and the like.  What if someone named their son Mister, or Sir, or Lieutenant? 

[ChrisC]

Peʹleg anyone?

[Sylv]

Back in the 1970's in the Netherlands, my sister could not register her baby's name as "Debby", but had to use "Deborah".

[Old]

3 hours ago, Qapla said:

I agree. I had pondered a bit about this while listening to some sports talk just the other day. Some of the US athletes have "interesting " names. 

 

In addition to some inventive first names, there have been ones like Major, Prince and the like.  What if someone named their son Mister, or Sir, or Lieutenant? 

Major Major?  

[MizPeg]

5 hours ago, Gregexplore said:

Imagine if the Tablecloth had a brother Chair and sister Lamp and the surname Livingroom 

Gee! No kitchen or sink?     ;-)

[New World Explorer]

8 hours ago, Qapla said:

I agree. I had pondered a bit about this while listening to some sports talk just the other day. Some of the US athletes have "interesting " names. 

 

In addition to some inventive first names, there have been ones like Major, Prince and the like.  What if someone named their son Mister, or Sir, or Lieutenant? 

Are you able to register Qapla ? LOL 

[Qapla]

If I were, it would be Qapla! not Qapla?

2 hours ago, Gregexplore said:

Are you able to register Qapla ? LOL 

 

[Ahuvah]

When we named our children we were given a list of 'illegal' names that we could not use. I remember ... Satan, Majesty, loads of others just can't remember them. Don't think Jehovah was on the list though - I would have remembered that.

 

Knew of a child named Sydney Harbour Bridge ... I think she was from Papua New Guinea. Also a Fijian sister called Very nicey. 

Worked with a lovely gentleman called Ido Funcke. 

[Tortuga]

Moon Unit Zappa?

[Ahuvah]

There;s a woman in the scriptures who was called Hogla. (My daughter always said that if she was going to have kids she would name her son Cletus Festus ... and her daughter Hogla - think she was trying to stir the pot a little).

[ChrisC]

My mum knew someone called Nora Gammon.

[coony77]

One thing I just learned on our RC is the fact, that in Germany it´s forbidden by law to call your child "Judas".

 

Anyway, sometimes I´m really surprised what terrible names some parents choose for their children - don´t they think about the future of the poor kids?

As babies they don´t bother, of course. But they will grow up - and they´ll have to live with a name that can really be a punishment!  

[Pjdriver]

I remember a brother years ago that was in our circuit  and  gave a talk in our Congregation. His name was Bob Slob. 

[coony77]

Some decades ago, there were 2 brothers in a neighbor congregation, who scared everyone in the ministry when they introduced themselves. The reason was that the surname of one was "angel"  and the surname of the other was "devil" (in German) . 

[shali]

If a child is given a wierd name or one frowned on by the gov't or socirty in general, I think a clause should be put in their birth certificate that allows them to legally change their name when they reach a certain age, without cost.

[carlos]

Just a little update: A judge has finally decided that Lobo (Wolf) is not a derogatory name and has ordered the baby to be registered with that name. So the parents won after all.

[Thesauron]

Just a little update: A judge has finally decided that Lobo (Wolf) is not a derogatory name and has ordered the baby to be registered with that name. So the parents won after all.

Why would an animal name be derogatory though? In many societies animal names are common and sometimes have a very long history.

In brotherly love have tender affection for one another. In showing honor to one another, take the lead.—Romans 12:10.

[Old]

I had a young lady on my crew named Jaguar. Her father wanted a Jaguar sports car and when she came a long he concluded the only way he would ever afford his Jaguar was to name her Jaguar.

I think the connotation when one heard her name was the cat, not the car.

[Qapla]

Around here it would be the football team