No

by Breeanna Jent

Created on: July 29, 2011

People should be allowed to name their children whatever they want, even if it means their child could potentially end up with an eccentric name.  Sure, some ‘name regulation’ might mean that we’re saved from the eye-roll-inducing names that celebrities manage to come up with at times, but just because there are a number of people who don’t like a certain name does not mean that society at large should presume any right or power to regulate what any one person or couple may decide to name their own child.

The practice of giving names to people is a long-established tradition that exhibits ownership and also acts as a conduit through which humans can express creativity and love. In still widespread practice does name-giving allow us to exhibit reverence for loved ones by passing down traditional family names to our offspring. Furthermore, name-giving is not limited to our children; we frequently adhere to the habits of  affectionately nicknaming those for whom we care, we name our animals, and not uncommonly do we also name inanimate objects such as electronic devices or automobiles, to name a few examples. Giving names in these aforementioned cases demonstrates an individual’s relationship and emotional bond to that which is being named.

Naming is a large part of human society as a whole. Without it, or even with limits placed upon so-called ‘acceptable’ names, the ability for us to differentiate between individuals would effectively be muddied.  While there is historical evidence of name-regulation (Sweden abides by a Naming Law established in 1982 created to prevent non-noble families from giving their children noble names), it presents far more difficulties than it does the promise to make our lives as a whole easier. Especially in the United States, a country which prides itself on the individuality and autonomy of its citizens, would laws governing the naming of children run the risk of general backlash from the public.

The most obvious dilemma in creating these types of laws is answering who is qualified to determine which names are acceptable and which ones are unacceptable. Furthermore, who then decides who is qualified to accept or reject certain names? Then, by what criteria are these names judged? Will the laws be the same for every parent or set of parents, or will names be accepted or rejected based upon the context of their own particular situation?

It is assumed that any given parent has enough sense to bestow upon their child a name that will hopefully not elicit much ridicule, either by other children or even by adults, and to use discretion when choosing their child’s name.  However, the parent also reserves the right to name their child a name that they find fitting according to their own standards, whether these standards be moral, religious, ideological, or so on and so forth.

Ultimately, naming should be left up to a child’s parents, and while all names might not be what the vast majority would regard as ‘normal,’ one might hope that the parents will use the right amount of creativity and prudence when deciding on a name.

At the very least, any unconventionally-nam ed child can always petition for a legal name change once they enter the age of adulthood if he or she so chooses.

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