This name rocks.
Naming a baby can be controversial. Trust me. I have three children and everyone seems to have an opinion as to whether each name suits the baby, whether it makes sense, whether it’s too ethnic, whether it’s not ethnic enough… And all three names are perfectly “normal” - whatever that means. Not a Django, Brittnee or Kiki in the bunch (not passing judgment, just saying those are less “normal” - whatever that means).
And it’s fine because, despite the fact that my relatives weren’t in love with all of the names, I didn’t need anyone’s permission (other than my husband’s, of course). In the US, you see, you can more or less name your child anything you want. And people do.
But in other countries, it’s not so easy. Enter the case of Michael and Karolina Tomaro who initially had their daughter’s proposed name vetoed by the Swedish National Tax Board.
The dreaded name? Metallica. Yes, like the rock band.
In Sweden, parents must get the names of their children approved by the tax authority before they can receive what is essentially the equivalent of a Social Security number. But the Swedish tax agency said no, citing, among other reasons that it was already the name of a heavy metal rock name (guess that rules out Megadeth and Black Sabbath as choices, as well).
In Sweden, name are evaluated on three points. The name could not be:
The tax agency felt that the name was both too similar to the name of the band “Metallica” and it sounded like the word “metal.”
The couple fought to have the name approved and received support from the County Administrative Court in Goteborg, Sweden. However, the SNTB appealed. Eventually, the appeal was dropped though Swedish tax officials told Michael and Karolina Tomaro they’ll refuse to acknowledge their daughter if they go ahead with their plans (since little Metallica has already been baptized as Metallica Elody Julia, I’m guessing that someone won’t be getting a Christmas card this year). It also means that Metallica can finally get a passport - previously, the Tomaros could not travel outside of Sweden without her because the name controversy.
But the officials have withdrawn their objections. The news means the Tomaros can now travel abroad because the controversy prevented the seven-month-old baby from getting a passport.
And because I know you’re wondering - well, everyone except for my dad who is still trying to figure out what Metallica is - Lars Ulrich of Metallica is Danish, not Swedish.
What do you think? Fair decision? Should parents be allowed to name their children whatever they want? Can you imagine a scenario in the US where the Social Security Administration or the IRS was in charge of “approving” names? Care to share the worst baby name you’ve ever heard - in the nicest way possible?
