Iceland won't "allow" a girl to keep her name.... WTF???

[sperbonzo]

How do people allow their government to dictate what name they call themselves?? I can't imagine the mindset that thinks that this is ok.



.http://news.yahoo.com/icelandic-girl...074758814.html

"REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) ? Call her the girl with no name.

A 15-year-old is suing the Icelandic state for the right to legally use the name given to her by her mother. The problem? Blaer, which means "light breeze" in Icelandic, is not on a list approved by the government.

Like a handful of other countries, including Germany and Denmark, Iceland has official rules about what a baby can be named. In a country comfortable with a firm state role, most people don't question the Personal Names Register, a list of 1,712 male names and 1,853 female names that fit Icelandic grammar and pronunciation rules and that officials maintain will protect children from embarrassment. Parents can take from the list or apply to a special committee that has the power to say yea or nay.

In Blaer's case, her mother said she learned the name wasn't on the register only after the priest who baptized the child later informed her he had mistakenly allowed it.

"I had no idea that the name wasn't on the list, the famous list of names that you can choose from," said Bjork Eidsdottir, adding she knew a Blaer whose name was accepted in 1973. This time, the panel turned it down on the grounds that the word Blaer takes a masculine article, despite the fact that it was used for a female character in a novel by Iceland's revered Nobel Prize-winning author Halldor Laxness.

Given names are even more significant in tiny Iceland that in many other countries: Everyone is listed in the phone book by their first names. Surnames are based on a parent's given name. Even the president, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, is addressed simply as Olafur.

Blaer is identified as "Stulka" ? or "girl" ? on all her official documents, which has led to years of frustration as she has had to explain the whole story at the bank, renewing her passport and dealing with the country's bureaucracy.

Her mother is hoping that will change with her suit, the first time someone has challenged a names committee decision in court."





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It is bizarre to me what some cultures will allow their government to tell them what they can and cannot do. (This applies to the US in some ways also, believe me!)




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[spazlabz]

WTF?? that is insane. Can you imagine what that would be like if they had a list of approved names here in the US? We would not see names like




Jim, because it could be confused with gym

[u-Bob]

It's sad to see what people put up with these days.

[L-Pink]

Originally Posted by spazlabz

WTF?? that is insane. Can you imagine what that would be like if they had a list of approved names here in the US? We would not see names like




Jim, because it could be confused with gym

The African American community could use a few helpful guidelines when it comes to names.

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[Caligari]

I wonder if Germany still allows the name "Adolf"

Seriously, Germany as well? I feel better about the EU everyday;)

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[spazlabz]

Originally Posted by L-Pink

The African American community could use a few helpful guidelines when it comes to names.

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what? why?

[ottopottomouse]

1853 names to choose from and yet they still had to try and be indervidjewel and pick something different. Can't see anything wrong with it overall, your whole life can be a fucking mess if your parents pick a stupid name.

[MaDalton]

Originally Posted by L-Pink

The African American community could use a few helpful guidelines when it comes to names.

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lol - i noticed - sometimes quite amusing

i know from back in Germany that there are rare cases where people do not get the name they wanted - but in 99.9% of the cases i am totally fine with that cause it protects the child from being made fun of later.

for example in Germany a name needs to indicate if someone is a boy or a girl - names like Apple, Jewel or similar won't pass - and i am thankful for that. some parents really have their head full of shit and the kid should not suffer from that for the rest of his life

in this specific case i cant judge cause i dont speak icelandic but to me the name sounds fine

[Roald]

Fuck iceland!

[Caligari]

Originally Posted by ottopottomouse

1853 names to choose from and yet they still had to try and be indervidjewel and pick something different. Can't see anything wrong with it overall, your whole life can be a fucking mess if your parents pick a stupid name.

I've heard that in some countries you can actually change your name if you don't like it;)

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[Screwed Up]

Originally Posted by Roald

Fuck iceland!

This! ^^^

[Scott McD]

Originally Posted by ottopottomouse

indervidjewel

Say what now ??

[Tom_PM]

I have a friend who told me that her son was looking over a woman's form and where it said name she wrote Sh' so he asked her what her first name was. She glared at him as if he were crazy and said "Shapostrophe". Yes, for real.

People like that will be discriminated against because "Name" fields are limited to alphanumeric characters. Just wait for it.

[Scott McD]

I remember seeing this on the news live after the volcanic eruption...

[slapass]

Originally Posted by MaDalton

lol - i noticed - sometimes quite amusing

i know from back in Germany that there are rare cases where people do not get the name they wanted - but in 99.9% of the cases i am totally fine with that cause it protects the child from being made fun of later.

for example in Germany a name needs to indicate if someone is a boy or a girl - names like Apple, Jewel or similar won't pass - and i am thankful for that. some parents really have their head full of shit and the kid should not suffer from that for the rest of his life

in this specific case i cant judge cause i dont speak icelandic but to me the name sounds fine

It indicates she is a boy. That is the whole problem so yeah this name is not fine by your reasoning.

[Sly]

The embarrassment and horror of assuming Kelly is a female instead of a male. Life-changing, I'm sure.

[MaDalton]

Originally Posted by slapass

It indicates she is a boy. That is the whole problem so yeah this name is not fine by your reasoning.

in that case i can agree with the decision

although there are other regular names like Kim, Andrea etc. where also confusion can happen ;)

[Barefootsies]

Frankly, it's hilarious to see the sheeple get enraged about stupid ass shit like baby names, but somehow remain perfectly silent while their government engages in two wars racking up massive debt, push the country to financial collapse with silly political reindeer games, let the government take away their 'freedoms' in exchange for supposed "security".

It is a bizzaro world in which we live...

[pornguy]

Originally Posted by L-Pink

The African American community could use a few helpful guidelines when it comes to names.

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I saw a documentary about the names they make up and they are actually responsible for cresting more unique names than any other country in the world.

[seeandsee]

She should use normal name, imagine yourself to have goverment id with name: SPERMPUSSYCOCK, is that right?

[Sly]

Originally Posted by Barefootsies

Frankly, it's hilarious to see the sheeple get enraged about stupid ass shit like baby names, but somehow remain perfectly silent while their government engages in two wars racking up massive debt, push the country to financial collapse with silly political reindeer games, let the government take away their 'freedoms' in exchange for supposed "security".

It is a bizzaro world in which we live...

If you only got enraged about the "big issues" you would never be able to discuss anything. Because in the big picture, the real big picture, those two wars don't even matter.

[L-Pink]

Originally Posted by pornguy

I saw a documentary about the names they make up and they are actually responsible for cresting more unique names than any other country in the world.

And no one can tell me when a resume contains an unpronounceable or strange name the employer will not view it as unprofessional and hire someone else. Unless it's fast food.

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[sperbonzo]

Originally Posted by ottopottomouse

1853 names to choose from and yet they still had to try and be indervidjewel and pick something different. Can't see anything wrong with it overall, your whole life can be a fucking mess if your parents pick a stupid name.

Your whole life???

You can just go have your name legally changed if you want to. Do you live somewhere where this can't be done??? If the girl WANTS her name to be "whateverthefuck", then how can a government have the right to tell her that she can't call herself what she wants to? How are you so willing to let some bureaucrat tell you what you can call yourself? I don't understand why you are willing to let the government dictate even your most personal choices.... seriously.




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[sperbonzo]

Originally Posted by MaDalton

in that case i can agree with the decision

although there are other regular names like Kim, Andrea etc. where also confusion can happen ;)

Seriously man? You have no problem with the government telling you that you can't call yourself whatever you decide? You agree with that? Some bureaucrat should have the right, and the power, to tell you, "I don't like your name, you have to change it!"???



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[DWB]

Originally Posted by L-Pink

The African American community could use a few helpful guidelines when it comes to names.

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Sorry mam, Shaniqua, Bonifa, Levondia, and Tramicia are not on our approved list of female names.

[sperbonzo]

Originally Posted by Barefootsies

Frankly, it's hilarious to see the sheeple get enraged about stupid ass shit like baby names, but somehow remain perfectly silent while their government engages in two wars racking up massive debt, push the country to financial collapse with silly political reindeer games, let the government take away their 'freedoms' in exchange for supposed "security".

It is a bizzaro world in which we live...

2 wars? More like 6, and all the other freedom issues I yell about also, but you have to change it up sometime, don't you?


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[CDSmith]

I guess "Moon Unit" and "Dweezil" Zappa wouldn't have existed in Iceland.

Franck should have moved there back in the 70's. ha

[MaDalton]

Originally Posted by sperbonzo

Seriously man? You have no problem with the government telling you that you can't call yourself whatever you decide? You agree with that? Some bureaucrat should have the right, and the power, to tell you, "I don't like your name, you have to change it!"???
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no, the government should protect children from parents trying to give them fucked up names

and in many countries you cannot change your name just like this - and once you're old enough to do that by yourself, the harm is already done.

so yes, i do agree with that law, 110%

and i also think that there are lots of other things to worry about than one stupid woman and her wish for a baby name

[spazlabz]

Originally Posted by MaDalton

no, the government should protect children from parents trying to give them fucked up names

and in many countries you cannot change your name just like this - and once you're old enough to do that by yourself, the harm is already done.

so yes, i do agree with that law, 110%

and i also think that there are lots of other things to worry about than one stupid woman and her wish for a baby name

I understand your logic quite well. I have met children with unfortunate names in the past whose parents seemed delighted to have cursed their kid to greasing a brass pole into her 30s and then marrying a dude in a broken down trailer BUT

the issue is personal freedom. If a government is allowed to intrude that far into a person's individual choices then how far is too far? The stated purpose of this law appears to be "names that fit Icelandic grammar and pronunciation rules and that officials maintain will protect children from embarrassment" which will, almost by definition, limit any kind of diversity in their culture which will also limit their growth. I have a couple of questions about this law.

Does it apply to all births in Iceland, even non-residents?
Does it apply to Icelandic citizens of differing ethnic origins? For example if a Japanese couple moves to Iceland are they required by law to ignore their own culture and give their child one of the approved names to fit in with Icelandic grammar and pronunciation?

this law may have been perfectly acceptable in the past but the world is much smaller now and laws like this need to be gotten rid of

[MaDalton]

Originally Posted by spazlabz

I understand your logic quite well. I have met children with unfortunate names in the past whose parents seemed delighted to have cursed their kid to greasing a brass pole into her 30s and then marrying a dude in a broken down trailer BUT

the issue is personal freedom. If a government is allowed to intrude that far into a person's individual choices then how far is too far? The stated purpose of this law appears to be "names that fit Icelandic grammar and pronunciation rules and that officials maintain will protect children from embarrassment" which will, almost by definition, limit any kind of diversity in their culture which will also limit their growth. I have a couple of questions about this law.

Does it apply to all births in Iceland, even non-residents?
Does it apply to Icelandic citizens of differing ethnic origins? For example if a Japanese couple moves to Iceland are they required by law to ignore their own culture and give their child one of the approved names to fit in with Icelandic grammar and pronunciation?

this law may have been perfectly acceptable in the past but the world is much smaller now and laws like this need to be gotten rid of

i have no clue about iceland - but in germany the origin is of course taken into consideration - otherwise we wouldnt have so many Mehmeds, Achmeds and Muhammeds

and seriously - this is your issue about personal freedoms?

[RyuLion]

Originally Posted by Roald

Fuck iceland!

[spazlabz]

Originally Posted by MaDalton

and seriously - this is your issue about personal freedoms?

are you asking if it is my ONLY issue concerning personal freedoms? If that is what you're asking the answer is a loud and resounding HELL NO! In the US my personal freedoms have been eroding for over a decade and I am certainly not happy about it... The Patriot Act! Don't even get me started on that or warrantless wire tapping or the TSA. I have spoken out about all of these things in the past and will continue to any time they are brought up. This is just one more freedom that's being taken away by a big brother state that thinks they know whats best for the people who are believed to be too stupid to live their own life.

now before you point out that clearly some people are too stupid to live their own life (you wont get any argument from me on that) this law applies to everyone, even the intelligent who may, for whatever reason, choose to give their child a moniker that is not on that list.

[CyberHustler]

Originally Posted by Roald

Fuck iceland!

[sperbonzo]

Originally Posted by MaDalton

and seriously - this is your issue about personal freedoms?

Personally I think this is just a teeny tiny one, in a mountainous forest of massive intrusions on personal liberties by governments worldwide. Basically just a bizarre little story about someone deciding for themselves, what they want to be called, and the government telling them that they can't. Just one quirky little example of a tsunami of restrictions that are being imposed on people that happily allow, and even encourage it. Even you seem to think that if you decided to call yourself, for example MaDalton, in your real life, that it's ok with you that the government can tell you "no".


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[MaDalton]

Originally Posted by sperbonzo

Personally I think this is just a teeny tiny one, in a mountainous forest of massive intrusions on personal liberties by governments worldwide. Basically just a bizarre little story about someone deciding for themselves, what they want to be called, and the government telling them that they can't. Just one quirky little example of a tsunami of restrictions that are being imposed on people that happily allow, and even encourage it. Even you seem to think that if you decided to call yourself, for example MaDalton, in your real life, that it's ok with you that the government can tell you "no".


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lol - i would be very pleased with the government when it kept my parents from calling me MaDalton

hell, i even hate myself for using that name back then - hehe

and those laws exist since ages - and 99.9% of the people live perfectly fine with them - besides the .1% that are idiots cause they want to name their kid Apple

[ottopottomouse]

Originally Posted by sperbonzo

Your whole life???

You can just go have your name legally changed if you want to. Do you live somewhere where this can't be done??? If the girl WANTS her name to be "whateverthefuck", then how can a government have the right to tell her that she can't call herself what she wants to? How are you so willing to let some bureaucrat tell you what you can call yourself? I don't understand why you are willing to let the government dictate even your most personal choices.... seriously.




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By the time you are old enough to legally change it yourself from whatever ridiculous attention seeking name your parents have chosen it will already be too late.

[baddog]

Originally Posted by MaDalton

i know from back in Germany that there are rare cases where people do not get the name they wanted - but in 99.9% of the cases i am totally fine with that cause it protects the child from being made fun of later.

Wow - what if they are funny looking, or have a lisp or are (heaven forbid) a ginger? What should the German government do to protect those kids from being made fun of? I am blown away by your attitude.

Originally Posted by MaDalton

no, the government should protect children from parents trying to give them fucked up names

. . .

Just wow

[Antonio]

Most countries have similar laws - do you really think you can name your kid "Genital Wart" in the US? I seriously doubt that.

Just remembered working with a kid (18-19yo) in South Africa, whose name was Telephone. Can you imagine going through high school with that name?

[Best-In-BC]

Originally Posted by L-Pink

The African American community could use a few helpful guidelines when it comes to names.

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lol, what a arrogant thing to say, another culture you cant understand and what you wanna complain about is there names, like it even matters or effects you in any which way.

[JFK]

Originally Posted by MaDalton

lol - i noticed - sometimes quite amusing

i know from back in Germany that there are rare cases where people do not get the name they wanted - but in 99.9% of the cases i am totally fine with that cause it protects the child from being made fun of later.

for example in Germany a name needs to indicate if someone is a boy or a girl - names like Apple, Jewel or similar won't pass - and i am thankful for that. some parents really have their head full of shit and the kid should not suffer from that for the rest of his life

in this specific case i cant judge cause i dont speak icelandic but to me the name sounds fine

So, Ma Dalton makes you a girlie Boy ?

[Bryan G]

Originally Posted by sperbonzo

Your whole life???

You can just go have your name legally changed if you want to. Do you live somewhere where this can't be done??? If the girl WANTS her name to be "whateverthefuck", then how can a government have the right to tell her that she can't call herself what she wants to? How are you so willing to let some bureaucrat tell you what you can call yourself? I don't understand why you are willing to let the government dictate even your most personal choices.... seriously.





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Do you think the Israeli government would allow a child to be named Aldolf Hitler?

[CyberHustler]

Originally Posted by Best-In-BC

lol, what a arrogant thing to say, another culture you cant understand and what you wanna complain about is there names, like it even matters or effects you in any which way.

I'm sure he was joking, though there is truth in jest

[BIGTYMER]

Originally Posted by Antonio

Most countries have similar laws - do you really think you can name your kid "Genital Wart" in the US? I seriously doubt that.

Just remembered working with a kid (18-19yo) in South Africa, whose name was Telephone. Can you imagine going through high school with that name?

You can. Some white supremist named his kid Adolf Hitler.

But I think CPS got involved after.

[baddog]

Originally Posted by Best-In-BC

lol, what a arrogant thing to say, another culture you cant understand and what you wanna complain about is there names, like it even matters or effects you in any which way.

Culture? You think the names are come up with and spelled the way they are due to some cultural thing?

[Tom_PM]

The government doesn't really say you're not allowed to name your child this or that, they just say if you want to get services from us, the name has to fall within these guidelines. It's your choice. Just like if you want to refuse to pay taxes.. you have that option and jail is the penalty for getting caught. But you're still free to refuse.

Yeah it's a choice without a good alternative, but the discussion should stay within the guidelines of reality too.

Want to know what US government list pisses me off? The Do Not Call list. It's like saying everyone has opted in.. a license to spam freely. What spammer wouldn't want an upstream provider to operate that way? You would never get a single complaint or be put on any blacklist! You're protected until you email someone who LATER ON signed to your do not email list. Must be nice. And they exempt certain annoying calls too that still are designed to get money out of you. Again, must be nice. Who do I have to lobby to get that kind of deal?

[sperbonzo]

Originally Posted by Antonio

Most countries have similar laws - do you really think you can name your kid "Genital Wart" in the US? I seriously doubt that.

No laws on the books in the US about it. That's why there was such a controversy about the couple that named their kids after NAZI's. The community had to come up with reasons to take the kids away, but the reasons were not their names, it's legal in the US.


My son is named Akiva Ruhan Thomas Sperber, for various reasons. Akiva is an old Hebrew name, and the way things are going, in places like Norway, they will probably outlaw Jewish names in order to "protect" the kids from anti-semitiscm.


Besides, even if I accept your premise that it is to "protect children"; in this case, a 15 year old girl WANTS TO KEEP HER NAME!! I just can't understand you guys allowing yourselves, as teenagers or adults, to have some government clerk tell you what you can or can't name yourself.... It's just a bizarre concept to me. If I want to call myself shithead, or dweebface, then it's no one's business but my own.


Sorry, I don't get your point of view at all. I can't imagine wanting to surrender all of my choices, even about my own name, to a government.




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[Best-In-BC]

Originally Posted by baddog

Culture? You think the names are come up with and spelled the way they are due to some cultural thing?

Yes, culture is a broad term but yeah, how else do you conseve new names are brought out ?

[baddog]

Originally Posted by Best-In-BC

Yes, culture is a broad term but yeah, how else do you conseve new names are brought out ?

Pretty much the way you came up with the word "conseve" - Mom does not know how to spell and when the nurse asked what are you naming the baby, and how are you spelling it, they use Ebonics.

[Tom_PM]

Yes in the US you could name your kid "Genital Wart" lol. For petes sake, I gave you a real example of a woman named Sh' (thats pronounced sha- postrophe).. Shapostrophe! It's a real legal name.. stupid but real.

[MaDalton]

Originally Posted by baddog

Wow - what if they are funny looking, or have a lisp or are (heaven forbid) a ginger? What should the German government do to protect those kids from being made fun of? I am blown away by your attitude.

hahahahaha - nice troll attempt - again

cause you really cant be meaning that serious