Alternatively, should children be allowed to change their names to one in a restricted list anytime before 18, then to anything after 18?

  • FriendOfDeSoto@startrek.website
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    9 days ago

    This is already location-dependent. I think Iceland has the most restrictive legislation with a prescribed list to choose from. Other countries have a layer of “is this really a name?” checking as part of the registration process after birth and parents can be sent back to square one.

    I think there is a balance to be had where you can’t get away with xc1>df or whatever but you could name your kid after a GoT character that tragically turned evil in the last season. My suggestion would be to include a second given name that is more established than Khalisi or Dumbledore, e.g. Kelly and David. If Khalisi Kelly’s last name is Knox obvs I wouldn’t insist on the alliteration. My point is then your child has a plan B when they get mocked for being called Hobbit in school. They can just go by Henry or whatever other boring name made the cut. That way you don’t need to get into a complicated legal situation where a minor would have to override the wish of their parents.

    After reaching adulthood legally, virtually anybody can try to change their name. Although the process may involve having to prove harm to get it approved in some places. I think there is a correlation between a laissez-faire attitude to naming and ease of getting a name change. In countries that are stricter to begin with, the hurdles are much higher and can be much costlier.

    • AmidFuror@fedia.io
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      9 days ago

      If you’re in a state with a conservative Registrar of Names, names that are too “ethnic” will be considered stupid.

  • tiredofsametab@fedia.io
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    9 days ago

    Several countries have laws about naming to prevent stupid/abusive/non-traditional names (use cases vary by country)

  • FuglyDuck@lemmy.world
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    9 days ago

    Using a password generator to name your kid should be treated as child neglect. Just saying.

    regardless of if it should be legal or not, anything restricting names is going to run pretty hard up against first amendment rights.

      • FuglyDuck@lemmy.world
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        9 days ago

        There’s also significant precedent saying children don’t have the mental awareness to make those kinds of decisions and therefore removing it to… the parents.

        sorry, but getting that done, whether or not it’s right or wrong, is basically impossible. you would be overturning a couple centuries of precedent.