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, names are evaluated on three points. The name could not be:
- a common surname;
- a name that can bring negative consequences in its bearer’s future; and
- a boy’s name if you’re naming a girl and vice versaThe 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 of 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But the officials have withdrawn their objections.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?
Well, my full name is Gordon Scott Allen and at various times in my life I’ve multiple people say, “Oh, you have three first names,” and others have said, “Oh, you have three last names!”
It is kind of an interesting point… on the one hand, libertarian that I am, I basically think the government has no business being involved in approving names. On the other hand, it’s verging on child abuse to name your boy “Sue” or your daughter “Black Sabbath” (although actually I think Metallica is a very feminine name, though I would’ve suggested they just drop one “l”). And who represents the child when this happens?
Of course, “Moon Unit” and “Dweezil” seemed to turn out just fine (don’t know about “Ahmet Emuukha Rodan” and “Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen”, his other two kids).
Funny story… I have two stepsons. When they were little (about age 5 and 7), the older one, Jesse, announced to his mother that he wanted to go by his middle name, Michael, which was his father’s name.
Always taking after his older brother, the younger one, Joshua, asked her if he could go by his middle name.
She said, “Sure.”
He said, “What is it?”
“Eugene.”
“Oh. Never mind.”
This isn’t a “bad” baby name, I just found it… annoying. A couple of my extended family members are big Chicago Cubs fans. They’re SUCH loyal fans that they named their son Ryne Dawson, after two of their favorite Cubs players, Ryne Sandberg and Andre Dawson.
Secretly, I’m hoping he grows up to be a White Sox fan.
That’s funny, Scott!
The thing is, kids can be really cruel about names. My brother’s middle name is Wyman, named after the swimmer, Adam Wyman Smith, for whom my father had great affection.
But I used to tell people the real reason was because when he was born, my dad looked at him and asked the doctor, “Why man, why?”
A couple in China recently attempted to name their new child “@” – commonly known as the “at” symbol. Apparently the symbol pronounced in English as ‘at’ sounds like the Chinese phrase “love him.” Oi vey!
TWTP
A woman I met had been a teacher in Philadelphia. One of her students had a melodious name pronounced She-thee-ahd. The only problem was that the parents spelled it “Shithead.”
A woman I met had been a teacher in Philadelphia. One of her students had a melodious name pronounced She-thee-ahd. The only problem was that the parents spelled it “Shithead.”
A woman I met had been a teacher in Philadelphia. One of her students had a melodious name pronounced She-thee-ahd. The only problem was that the parents spelled it “Shithead.”
A woman I met had been a teacher in Philadelphia. One of her students had a melodious name pronounced She-thee-ahd. The only problem was that the parents spelled it “Shithead.”
A woman I met had been a teacher in Philadelphia. One of her students had a melodious name pronounced She-thee-ahd. The only problem was that the parents spelled it “Shithead.”
A woman I met had been a teacher in Philadelphia. One of her students had a melodious name pronounced She-thee-ahd. The only problem was that the parents spelled it “Shithead.”
A woman I met had been a teacher in Philadelphia. One of her students had a melodious name pronounced She-thee-ahd. The only problem was that the parents spelled it “Shithead.”
A woman I met had been a teacher in Philadelphia. One of her students had a melodious name pronounced She-thee-ahd. The only problem was that the parents spelled it “Shithead.”
A woman I met had been a teacher in Philadelphia. One of her students had a melodious name pronounced She-thee-ahd. The only problem was that the parents spelled it “Shithead.”
A woman I met had been a teacher in Philadelphia. One of her students had a melodious name pronounced She-thee-ahd. The only problem was that the parents spelled it “Shithead.”
A woman I met had been a teacher in Philadelphia. One of her students had a melodious name pronounced She-thee-ahd. The only problem was that the parents spelled it “Shithead.”
A woman I met had been a teacher in Philadelphia. One of her students had a melodious name pronounced She-thee-ahd. The only problem was that the parents spelled it “Shithead.”
A woman I met had been a teacher in Philadelphia. One of her students had a melodious name pronounced She-thee-ahd. The only problem was that the parents spelled it “Shithead.”
A woman I met had been a teacher in Philadelphia. One of her students had a melodious name pronounced She-thee-ahd. The only problem was that the parents spelled it “Shithead.”
And at what point, as the teacher, do you pull that parent aside and say, “Listen, your child cannot be referred to as ‘shithead’ for the rest of her life…”
once heard of two children…again, classroom setting… named L’emonjello and O’rangejello (La-mon-gello & Oran-gello)
Hmm, taxgirl neglected that she allowed her son to be named “Casper,” although it’s a middle name and she did veto “Casper Faust”
Sadly, her name choices were even worse.
Chris fails to mention that his names were about as good as Metallica…