What's in a Name?

Recently I came across a court case in New Zealand where a judge expressed the following views about a child’s name "The court is profoundly concerned about the very poor judgment which this child's parents have shown in choosing this name".

Judge Murfitt continued, "It makes a fool of the child and sets her up with a social disability and handicap, unnecessarily."

The name in question? Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii.

In New Zealand the local registrar will prevent the registration of names which could cause offence or are longer than 100 characters. Allowable names have included Benson & Hedges (for twins) and Number 16 Bus Shelter. You’ll be pleased to note that Keenan Got Lucy was not allowed, nor was Fish & Chips (for twins).

This got me thinking about children’s names in the UK. According to The office for National Statistics, Khaleesi is more popular than Claire. Other unusual names include Le-a (the dash being part of the name.... Ledasha) and KV111lyn which is pronounced Kaitlyn (the V111 being Roman numerals for eight – a bit of text speak).

In the UK we have far more relaxed rules about what you can call you child and leave parents to make free choices (unless the Registrar feels that a name is offensive). Interestingly, the Court of Appeal did intervene earlier this year and prevented a child being named Cyanide. Lady Justice King said the name was “unusual” and may harm the child, but stressed that it would normally be very rare for a Court to intervene in name choices and they would only do so “in only the most extreme cases”.

I wonder how Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii might be greeted on her first day at school, university or work?

Is it time to return to traditional names such as Stanley, Elsie, George and Georgina or should we embrace the unique personal choice parents exercise when naming their child?