Name nope: Baby naming laws from around the globe

Posted in Baby Names.
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In many countries, kids are protected from the outlandish names their parents choose, but in others (hello USA) it’s pretty much free rein and you may literally (and regrettably) run into a child called “Adolf Hitler” – despite the authorities’ best efforts.

Here’s the skinny on how the world names – and doesn’t name – their littlies.

Sweden

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Swedish parents require government approval to name their children, a law created in 1982, in an effort to stop Swedes using names that the authorities deemed 'noble'.

It's the Swedish Tax Agency that approves - or denies - names and they've refused names like Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116 (no, truly!) and Allah Akbar - whilst eventually allowing Metallica, and the middle name Google through to the keeper.

Swedish law was progressively updated in 1983 to allow men to take their wife or partner's name, too.

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