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Forbidden names: identity and the law in Sweden

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(@grantbarrett)
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Like France, Sweden is a country where you can't name your chidren whatever you want. "The name law is controversial in a number of respects. It bans people from adopting first names or place names as surnames, or for people to adopt a 'generally known' foreign surname—meaning Springsteen might be tricky, while a more obscure name might be easier to get past the bureaucrats. Swedish law also has plenty to say about first names. The tax authority can veto parents' choice of name for a new-born baby if officials decide the name could 'cause trouble' for the child later in life."

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(@martha-barnette)
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Wow, that is interesting. I wonder if that would affect the unusual names in Urban American culture like Shemeka; or Lemonjello (lem MON juh lo). How would they react to the names popular in the 60s like Summer or River. I suspect my children Griffen and Sutton would require a rename.

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(@Anonymous)
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An article here mentions Denmark, Spain, Germany and Argentina as having lists of "acceptable" names.

(Interesting that in Sweden, the Patent Office enforces the law.)

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