Naming Your Child

In Iceland they have a Personal Names Register. Its a list of names approved by the government. When new parents go to name their child they have to choose a name off of this list. 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. If the don't choose one off of this list then they have to get approval. 

There is a girl who is fighting to use the name her mother game her. The government said no on the approval because it takes a masculine article.  Her mother didn't know it wasn't on the list until the priest who baptized her baby that he had mistakenly allowed it.

 I think its a great idea though. It has its cons but I am all for it. 

I sound outrageous right? WRONG! How many times have you asked someone about their baby "Oh they're so cute/adorable, whats his/her name?" And they tell you some ridiculous name that make you want to fall to the ground with laughter? Or you heard their name and you think to yourself "How the hell do you spell that?".

I have gone to school with some people whose names make me question how much their parents actually loved them.

 Naomi for example, we all know because of the movie Van Wilder is "I Moan" backwards. Now really, after hearing that, and knowing how many people have seen that movie, why would you name your child Naomi?

Think of all of the people who have named their kids after cars, cities, seasons,months or names that require extra thought because their parents cant spell? 

For Example:
Bentley
Aston
Camry
Mercedes
Lexus
May
April
Summer
Autumn
Paris
Dallas
Orlando
Charlotte
Jordan
Juno
Sydney
Austin
Rebekah
Julliette
Hilary (supposed to be Hillary)


Then think of the names that are easy to make fun of. Do you really want your kid teased their whole life? There was a girl i graduated with who couldn't have her whole name said at graduation because everyone(including me) made fun of it. I found out that their was actually a big upset with her parents complaining to the school about it when she started High School Because the teasing was so bad. SERIOUSLY?? Maybe you should have thought twice about what you named your kid! Or your child should have learned to stand up for herself!

Don't get your panties in a twist, I'm not bashing you for the name you chose for your child, or your parents for naming you what they did, I'm merely bringing up a subject no one talks about or brings up.  I Think the idea of having an approved list of names is a great idea. I think it would eliminate the amount of stupidity new parents show when they name their child a traditional name and have it spelled in a manner that not even their Foreign Language teacher let alone their English teachers can pronounce it. It prevents parents from naming their kids after things they don't have, or the place, month, or season they were conceived. It also prevents kids from being teased about their name. 

Im not saying it will stop bullying, because lets face it, even if your child has a "normal" name or even a biblical name, if the bully at school can bully your kid, then its gonna happen. But why give them anymore reason to?


(Btw the Icelandic girl did get to keep her name, and legally go by her name, rather than being called "Girl"..the story is here:Blaer From Iceland