Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

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."