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ArchivesFrance preapproved baby name list
I read that in France before 1993 people had to name their baby from a preapproved list. Does anyone know where you can find this list on the internet to look at it??
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That is not true.
Since 1802 until 1966, the law only allowed the inscription of names from some of the usual saints' lists plus some very well known historical names:
"... les noms en usage dans les différents calendriers, et ceux des personnages connus dans l'histoire ancienne pourront seuls être reçus, comme prénoms, sur les registres de l’état civil destinés à constater la naissance des enfants; et il est interdit aux officiers publics d'en admettre aucun autre dans leurs actes."
Most of the accepted names were publied every year in the post calendar (just like a lot of Spanish calendars publish the saint or the saints of the day).
In 1966 regional names (that is, Occitan, Catalan, Breton, Basque, Alsatian, Corse... names), compound names and mythological names were allowed and some nicknames and variants. But there were not a list of preapproved names.
In 1981 the law was changed (and remarked that there was not any list of preapproved names) and any name was allowed if it appeared in some calender or list and it was not ridicule.
Finally, since 1993, any name (even made up) is allowed. If the name is ridicule (the name itself or in combination with the surname or the surnames), the judge can ban the name.
But the existence of a preapproved name list is a myth because of a misunderstanding of the historical facts and it has been reported (also wrongly) for Spain, Germany and Italy.
Since 1802 until 1966, the law only allowed the inscription of names from some of the usual saints' lists plus some very well known historical names:
"... les noms en usage dans les différents calendriers, et ceux des personnages connus dans l'histoire ancienne pourront seuls être reçus, comme prénoms, sur les registres de l’état civil destinés à constater la naissance des enfants; et il est interdit aux officiers publics d'en admettre aucun autre dans leurs actes."
Most of the accepted names were publied every year in the post calendar (just like a lot of Spanish calendars publish the saint or the saints of the day).
In 1966 regional names (that is, Occitan, Catalan, Breton, Basque, Alsatian, Corse... names), compound names and mythological names were allowed and some nicknames and variants. But there were not a list of preapproved names.
In 1981 the law was changed (and remarked that there was not any list of preapproved names) and any name was allowed if it appeared in some calender or list and it was not ridicule.
Finally, since 1993, any name (even made up) is allowed. If the name is ridicule (the name itself or in combination with the surname or the surnames), the judge can ban the name.
But the existence of a preapproved name list is a myth because of a misunderstanding of the historical facts and it has been reported (also wrongly) for Spain, Germany and Italy.
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Thanks, that's really interesting. Is there any European country which at the moment does have a list of preapproved names?
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Denmark has a list of "preapproved names" as you call it, and it is revised constantly. The list is in addition to the Danish Act of Names (naming law).
There are 7995 approved boys' names and 10373 approved girls' names.
The only link I have is in Danish:
http://www.familiestyrelsen.dk/navne/1/?no_cache=1
There are 7995 approved boys' names and 10373 approved girls' names.
The only link I have is in Danish:
http://www.familiestyrelsen.dk/navne/1/?no_cache=1
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I'm not completely sure. My guess is not. At my knowledge, most of the countries have simply a naming law (in general very similar).
Theorically, Portugal has not a list of preapproved names but a naming law, but in practice the list of accepted names after a trial (plus the common and usual names) act as preapproved names list by most of civil servants. But that is a problem of abuse/habit, not a mandatory requirement.
Similar types of habits and abuses appear (or can appear) in the rest of countries, but just as other habits and abuses related with any other civil law.
Theorically, Portugal has not a list of preapproved names but a naming law, but in practice the list of accepted names after a trial (plus the common and usual names) act as preapproved names list by most of civil servants. But that is a problem of abuse/habit, not a mandatory requirement.
Similar types of habits and abuses appear (or can appear) in the rest of countries, but just as other habits and abuses related with any other civil law.
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