Teen fights for right to her own name

By Hum
in Real World News

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Grand Master

Hum

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Posted

REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) ? A 15-year-old is suing the Icelandic state for the right to legally use the name given to her by her mother. The problem? Blaer, which means "light breeze" in Icelandic, is not on a list approved by the government.

Like a handful of other countries, including Germany and Denmark, Iceland has official rules about what a baby can be named. In a country comfortable with a firm state role, most people don't question 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. Parents can take from the list or apply to a special committee that has the power to say yea or nay.

In Blaer's case, her mother said she learned the name wasn't on the register only after the priest who baptized the child later informed her he had mistakenly allowed it.

"I had no idea that the name wasn't on the list, the famous list of names that you can choose from," said Bjork Eidsdottir, adding she knew a Blaer whose name was accepted in 1973. This time, the panel turned it down on the grounds that the word Blaer takes a masculine article, despite the fact that it was used for a female character in a novel by Iceland's revered Nobel Prize-winning author Halldor Laxness.

Given names are even more significant in tiny Iceland that in many other countries: Everyone is listed in the phone book by their first names. Surnames are based on a parent's given name. Even the president, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, is addressed simply as Olafur.

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.

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Grand Master

spacer

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Honestly, I wish my country had a list of approved names for children. People have been giving their kids stupid names for years, with no repercussions. The latest retarded name that I have seen in the news is "Hashtag". I really can't understand how that is not considered child abuse.

Grand Master

Anibal P

Posted
Posted

Honestly, I wish my country had a list of approved names for children. People have been giving their kids stupid names for years, with no repercussions. The latest retarded name that I have seen in the news is "Hashtag". I really can't understand how that is not considered child abuse.

Just a name, they are making a bigger deal out of it than is necessary, I mean I know spacer isn't your real name nor does it change anything that I may or may not know or assume about you, it's just a name you go by

Grand Master

remixedcat

Posted
Posted

Honestly, I wish my country had a list of approved names for children. People have been giving their kids stupid names for years, with no repercussions. The latest retarded name that I have seen in the news is "Hashtag". I really can't understand how that is not considered child abuse.

Dovalkin

Grand Master

Hum

Posted
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Honestly, I wish my country had a list of approved names for children. People have been giving their kids stupid names for years, with no repercussions. The latest retarded name that I have seen in the news is "Hashtag". I really can't understand how that is not considered child abuse.

I really hate these parents when they are out in public, just have to repeatedly yell their kid's stupid name, as if it is soooo special and want everyone to know it's Jasmine. :rolleyes:

Grand Master

Rippleman

Posted
Posted

Pretty soon numbers only....

numbers and letters are the same, only your interpretation separates them, a letter or a number is only a combination of collection of directional lines and curves in which you are taught to identify with. To a person who has never seen them, they are infact still just swooshes of pen comparable to your eyes if you seen hieroglyphics.
Grand Master

Anibal P

Posted
Posted

numbers and letters are the same, only your interpretation separates them, a letter or a number is only a combination of collection of directional lines and curves in which you are taught to identify with. To a person who has never seen them, they are infact still just swooshes of pen comparable to your eyes if you seen hieroglyphs.

Numbers allow for unique identifiers while regular names won't accommodate it

Veteran

DrJohnSmitherson

Posted
Posted

Honestly, I wish my country had a list of approved names for children. People have been giving their kids stupid names for years, with no repercussions. The latest retarded name that I have seen in the news is "Hashtag". I really can't understand how that is not considered child abuse.

I guess cause it's just a name and doesnt matter

Grand Master

Glassed Silver

Posted
Posted

numbers and letters are the same, only your interpretation separates them, a letter or a number is only a combination of collection of directional lines and curves in which you are taught to identify with. To a person who has never seen them, they are infact still just swooshes of pen comparable to your eyes if you seen hieroglyphics.

Well, that's theoretically true, however humans are more than dumb machines and have emotions, so a different name might have a big meaning to you and others.

I could go into detail, but I guess if you don't see that yourself there's not much to discuss, but more to disagree about.

I definitely do see how numbers could be thought to be humiliating or degrading in a way.

Numbers don't have "personality" like names do.

I don't see why there's a big deal over a name.

I do, however not with this name.

It's not embarassing, so just let it pass.

I guess cause it's just a name and doesnt matter

Pretty wrong. It matters to many people. Speak for yourself, but I don't want to be a victim of an irresponsible parent who thinks a stupid name is okay to go with and blow a child's life.

Names also work on subconscious levels, so a good name might give you better job, love, etc opportunities.

Glassed Silver:mac

Grand Master

remixedcat

Posted
Posted

lots of people I knew named harmony, charity, and faith were some of the biggest bitches I've ever met.... seriously.... this one chick named harmony at school freakin hated babes and animals and was a general agony to be around.

Grand Master

FloatingFatMan

Posted
Posted

Pretty wrong. It matters to many people. Speak for yourself, but I don't want to be a victim of an irresponsible parent who thinks a stupid name is okay to go with and blow a child's life.

Damn right.. The name my parents saddled me with caused me an ENTIRE CHILDHOOD of being bullied by other kids. :( Even my teachers did it...

Grand Master

neufuse Veteran

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some of my US freinds think my daughters name is odd for a white girl... Destiny. I never thought anything bad of it but i guess its the 2nd most hated name on a couple lists I seen.

see a name shouldn't be country or race chained.... if I want to name a white girl Moesha then who really cares? but in the USA we think that is a "black girls name"....

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