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Conference oass::babynames

Title:A list of All the BABYNAMES (shadow copy)
Notice:BABYNAMES is now on-line and writable! Enjoy...
Moderator:OASS::BURDEN_D
Created:Tue Feb 13 1996
Last Modified:Fri May 30 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:996
Total number of notes:7139

59.0. "USDA Approved names" by 33979::HENDERSON (Mark Henderson @NOO) Wed Oct 29 1986 15:58

    In reading the previous two notes, it seems that European countries
    (especially France and Spain?) have laws describing what names may and
    may not be, as well as the number of names required. 
    
    I would be interested in hearing about the why's and wherefore's
    of other countries laws regarding the selection of names.
    
    As far as I know, there are no laws in the US regulating what a
    human's name may be. I've heard of a few cases where extreme
    individuals have tried to change there name to their social security
    number, or God, or some such thing and been prevented from doing
    so by the judicial system, but it can be almost anything.
    
    Can you imagine selecting you name from a US government approved list?
    (Baby name books don't count). 
    
    
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59.1Spanish laws.52379::FELIXF�lix Ballesteros Rivas.Fri Nov 14 1986 08:3916
    	Yes: We have been laws in order to restrict names.
    
    	In the past (before 1975) here in spain was impossible to take
    names not included in the Catholic names list!! (Xxxx not possible
    because don't exist Saint Xxxx...)
    
    	At present, the law just restrict names as 'Stupid' or
    'What_do_you_say', etc., but is absolutely flexible. 
    
    	A possible problem: If you like to use a foreing name (raelly
    foreing: Russian, Japanish...) the register office employee CAN
    ask a certified paper witch explain 'that is a correct name in
    russia...' AND this paper may be a problem (How can i explain it
    to the russian ambassador?)
    
    	Regards.
59.2In France, no Prunes allowedSTOREM::MARGOLISMon Mar 27 1989 16:0011
    I read of a case in France where parents of a baby girl
    were forbidden from using the name they had selected by the
    local town, who has the right to refuse names they think unkind
    to the child. The girl's name was to be Prune. Don't remember
    what the town selected...
    
    Choosing a name from a list sounds too restrictive, but having 
    gone to school with the victims of parent's humor (Elvis Prescott?),
    and knowing how children are influenced by their names, the review
    board could assign the name to the parents to try out for awhile...