german naming laws

unless clearly stated otherwise. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vorname_(Deutschland)#Namensgebung_und_-%C3%A4nderung German names: German names containing umlauts ä ... German naming law accepts umlauts and/or ß in family names as a reason for an official name change (even just the change of the spelling, e.g. Still, German names must be officially approved by the local office of vital statistics (Standesamt). Please check your inbox for your confirmation email. The court stated that although it is an Islamic name that shows his membership in the Islamic community, it sounds foreign to a German, is difficult to pronounce, and subjected the child to ridicule from his classmates. may result in removed comments. However, this is no longer the case, and names can be gender-neutral. The two laws authorized arrests of, and violence against, Jews. 1. By the 1820s, most small German states had extended civil rights to Jews and required them to adopt surnames. The Instructions for Registrars adopted by the Ministry of the Interior state that male children may only have male names and female children only female names, with the exception being “Maria” as a second name for a male child. (Photo by Flickr user mulan. © 2021 Transparent Language, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The state has a right and a duty to protect the child from an irresponsible name choice. Here also the government decides what name to choose for the new born baby. The instructions also state that a first name may not be offensive or something that is essentially not a name. Take a look at this website for more details. Names that the courts have allowed include: Names that have been denied by the courts include: Babies Fanta, Galaxina, and Pumuckl? A name entered by a British registry office on the birth certificate of a German child or a German-British child born in the UK does not always have to conform with German law. In honor of the 70th anniversary of the GfdS, this year’s list included  70 names total instead of the usual ten names per gender. According to the court, the Instructions for Registrars are non-legislative acts without any legal force and can therefore not limit the constitutionally guaranteed parental right to name a child. It is all pretty up in the air. German Genealogy Marriage Customs, Laws and Records. There are no provisions in the various laws regarding names that regulate the naming of children. It is also possible to change back to a surname used before the marriage (e.g. The court held that changing the name would help the child better integrate into the school community. […] The right of the parents to choose a first name is only limited if it adversely affects the welfare of the child. 5 K 957/08.KO). Apart from possibly adopting the partner's name upon marriage, German citizens may only change their name for a recognised important reason. These are often inspired by godparents or other relatives. Many countries around the world have such laws, with most governing the meaning of the name, while some only govern the scripts in which it is written. What names you can have or not have are regulated by rules that courts enforce! BReg. The possible names which may be used under German law may deviate from those entered in US vital records or identification documents. Lisa 4. Servus! 3 UR III 2334/95), Stone (a child cannot identify with it, because it is an object and not a first name) Amtsgericht Ravensburg [District Court Ravensburg], docket no. 18th Century Pennsylvania German Naming Customs. Hi, the name given to a baby does not have to reflect the gender of a child. remove content for any reason whatever, without consent. Baby Naming Laws In Germany - https://blogs.transparent.com/german/baby-naming-laws-in-germany/ Guten Tag! In April 2017, the Association for the German Language (Gesellschaft für deutsche Sprache (GfdS)) published its annual list of the most popular baby names of the last year. Selling an item. It is the foremost duty of the parents to give their child a name which it cannot yet give itself. However, the actual practice at the registrar’s office is different. 25.02.2020 - Article German citizens are subject to German law with respect to their use of a name. Germans love their silence, even if it needs to be upheld by a battery of laws, rules and regulations. This also applies to changing a name after marriage or going back to a former name ; again … from Müller to Mueller or from Weiß to Weiss is regarded as a name change). The parents will have to file a suit in civil court requesting that their name choice be honored. Mostly in middle eastern Germany and eastern/south eastern Austria. If the parents were married when the child was born A child whose parents were married at the time of the child’s birth and have a joint married name will receive the parents’ married name as his/her surname. A naming law restricts the names that parents can legally give to their children, usually to protect the child from being given an offensive or embarrassing name. Baby Ronja Borussia? I’ve been away this week spending most of my time down in good old New Jersey. In addition, the GfdS also published a list of the Top-5 all-time favorite first names since the list started 40 years ago. 1/101 - … (VG Koblenz [Administrative Court Koblenz], docket no. Several names may be combined to one name and common short forms of names are acceptable as first names. A child whose parents are married at the time of the child’s birth and who bear a married name (“Ehename”) according to German law, will obtain the parents’ married name as a birth name. 3 Z 1/86). privilege to post content on the Library site. @Derek Yes, I agree! Maria and Stephanie (tied) 3. Naming Laws: Just like Germany, the naming laws are quite stern in Mexico. Katharina In Germany, there are three rules when it comes to naming your baby: All babies’ names in Germany must be approved by the Standesamt (German civil registration office). It is also an Irish name. Bach, Johann Sebastian ". You may either choose the father’s or the mother’s name. If both parents are German nationals, only German law can be chosen for the name usage (first box on page 4 - Sections 1617/1617b of the German Civil Code). These differ from country to country, with some countries having more relaxed laws than others. In 1982, a naming law was enacted in the country that was intended to prevent families from using the names of the nobility. Azerbaijan. Since 2004, it has been included in the Statistical Yearbook of Germany by the German Statistical Office (Destatis), thereby making it the semi-official German list, as the German government does not publish its own list. Naming Laws in Germany 1. In addition, attitudes towards what names are acceptable are subject to constant change. Used under Creative Commons License 2.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/.). There are a new set of laws which can bar any name that is considered as insulting, deprecatory, unfair or has no proper meaning. Daniel and Philipp (tied) 4. I wrote a post a little while back about common baby names in Germany, if you’re interested! The Nuremberg Laws were announced after the annual Nazi party rally in Nuremberg on 15 September 1935. You are fully The right to name a child is part of the parental right to take care of the child, codified in article 6 of the German Basic Law (constitution). To help you navigate your way through naming practices in Germany, we've put together this handy guide to German names, including naming rules, popular and traditional boy and girl names in Germany, and information on how to change your name. About | Press | Jobs | Donate Comment and Posting Policy. However, this is no longer the case, and names can be gender-neutral. I will update the post to include this information!! Actual Practice at the Registrar’s Office. Full citation: Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany in the revised version published in the Federal Law Gazette Part III, classification number 100-1, as last amended by Article 1 of the Act of 28 March 2019 (Federal Law Gazette I p. 404). Nevertheless "siebtel" is the dominant term. So I wondered how the German authorities would treat someone wanting to give a boy my name. Despite common belief, German parents are generally unrestricted in their name choice. Off to court you go! A name declaration is not necessary. This blog does not represent official Library of Congress communications and does not represent legal advice. In many countries, there are no legal regulations regarding first names. Previously, the rule was that a baby’s first name had to indicate their gender clearly, and if it didn’t, then either the name had to be changed or a second, gender-specific name had to be added. When Germany was completely under Nazi rule, the number and severity of laws increased. So what happens if the registrar refuses a name chosen by the parents based on the Instructions for Registrars? Chip. It stated that gender-neutral names generally do not adversely affect the well-being of the child, because the child can nonetheless identify with its gender. I'm Constanze and I live in the UK. According to the German Federal Constitutional Court, “a name expresses the individuality of a person […] and makes him or her distinguishable from other people. I once tried to get my middle name taken off my bank card, only to be greeted with a solemn stare from the … Jews in Germany followed the custom of using only a given name and the name of the father, such as Isaac, son of Abraham (Isaac ben Abraham). Baby names that have been previously rejected in Germany include: Matti (gender not clear), Kohl (possibly because it’s a surname, or because it means cabbage), Stompie (gender not clear/not clear as a first name), Osama bin Laden (will negatively affect child), and Adolf Hitler (will negatively affect child). 1 GR 371/93), Möwe (seagull) (name of a bird which people find a nuisance and is seen as a pest and would therefore degrade the child) (BayObLG [Bavarian Higher Regional Court], docket no. Names in Germany. Family names are also prohibited as first names, except if there is a regional practice to the contrary. I guess it must be better-known as a brand over there. The constitutional right of the parents to name their child as they please is only limited if the name choice could adversely affect the well-being of the child, for example by exposing the child to ridicule or by being offensive. In this case a second name, one which would more clearly define the child’s gender, would be required. In general such a compelling reason is the fact that the person is subject to ridicule because of the name. This blog is governed by the general rules of respectful civil discourse. If you would like to know how other countries regulate names, don’t forget to check out our other blog posts on that topic, among them Elin’s recent FALQs: Name Day Celebrations in Sweden, Kelly’s post on Banning Baby Names in New Zealand, Laney’s on how many times you can change a name in Taiwan, or Elin’s post on Icelandic name laws. The name of a German national does not change automatically after a divorce or the death of a spouse. Previously rejected names in Switzerland include Judas (biblical villain), Chanel (brand), Paris (place), Schmid (surname) and Mercedes (brand). a previous married name). 3 When referring to denominators that are greater than 100 and the last two digits are 01, 03 or 07 the single-digit 'rules' are often used. Lastly, you cannot name your baby anything that might negatively affect them when they are older. There are only first names (Vorname) and surnames (Nachname/Familienname). Most German parents pick simple names because these are guaranteed to be accepted, thus making the process quick and hassle-free. July 14, 2011. Available anytime, anywhere, on any device. But what about parents who prefer more exotic or unique names for their child? Naming law and civil status certificates Please note that the German Embassy in London and Consulate General Edinburgh can currently not offer any appointments for name declarations and registrations of births and marriages in light of the rapid spread of Covid-19 (corona virus). The surname of a German national must conform to German law, irrespective of the name appearing on a foreign birth certificate. In Germany, there are three rules when it comes to naming your baby: Previously, the rule was that a baby’s first name had to indicate their gender clearly, and if it didn’t, then either the name had to be changed or a second, gender-specific name had to be added. German Naming Laws Remain Byzantine The constitutional court in Germany on Tuesday ruled to uphold a ban on hyphenated last names of three names or longer. In the new August 1938 law, authorities decreed that by January 1, 1939, Jewish men and women bearing first names of “non-Jewish” origin had to add “Israel” and “Sara,” respectively, to their given names. Somehow, even though I’m retired, I can’t seem to stay away. As was common in many countries, Germans generally followed some basic naming patterns or customs when choosing names for their children. Today I thought we’d look at Germany’s baby naming laws. Many foreign or unique names that used to be unacceptable are now commonplace. In this, the German conventions parallel the naming conventions in most of Western and Central Europe, including English, Dutch, Italian, and French. In Germany, you must be able to tell the gender of the child by the first name, and the I'm half English and half German, and have been writing about German language and culture on this blog since 2014. It also shows that Germans tend to stick to traditional names. What brought me to this article is that my personal name is Shannon. In Germany, however, certain rules have to be observed when choosing the first name of your baby: It must be possible to determine the gender of the child by its first name. In Switzerland the rules are similar, with a few extra ones. So, when inspiration strikes, make sure to consult the clock first! If one or both parents are from a different country and opt for a name native to their home country, then the relevant foreign embassy will be consulted for this name. Normal wear and tear of a used item is not considered a defect. The parents may submit a joint custody declaration to the Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt) before the birth of the child, which will help to determine the child’s surname. The content of all comments is released into the public domain Thank you! We further reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to remove a user's Most Jews did not adopt hereditary family names until required to do so by law. A name is usually cited in the " Western order " of "given name, surname", unless it occurs in an alphabetized list of surnames, e.g. " It is therefore up to the discretion of the individual judge and varies in the different regions in Germany. The Library of Congress does not control the content posted. The analysis of the German naming system is very good. Please read our Standard Disclaimer. A comparison of the all-time favorite lists to the current favorite lists shows that not much has changed over the course of 40 years. For that reason, I thought it would be interesting to look at what the baby naming laws are in Germany. Common German Boy Names Build vocabulary, practice pronunciation, and more with Transparent Language Online. In Germany, they have everything including academic titles, if applicable. Most men with the name Shannon are around my age or older (nearly 50) and most women with my name are five years or more younger. Changing a first name in Germany is only allowed under exceptional circumstances, for example according to the Transsexual Act, after an adoption, or in order to Germanize a foreign name. German names are governed by German Naming laws. The married name must be demonstrated by a German marriage certificate or name certificate. I am also a fitness instructor & personal trainer. Required fields are indicated with an * asterisk. German law has very strict requirements regarding the registration and possession of firearms and other weapons. “Sabsudin” was therefore able to legally change his name to “Sebastian Sabsudin”. Marie and Sophie are still the top-2 girls’ names, whereas Alexander and Maximilian still occupy number 2 and 3 of the boys’ list. 1.German law: both parents are German citizens, German law is applicable for the name of your child. Germany is one of those countries that have quite strict standards regarding the names of babies. The GfdS has been publishing this list since 1977. Christian and Maximilian (tied) 2. Read our Nevertheless, Used under Creative Commons License 2.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/.). Personal names in Germany follow the structure common in Europe and the rest of the western world. Marie 1. In addition, in the 18th and 19th centuries marriage laws were passed to limit population growth in the lower classes. For example, the Federal High Court of Justice has ruled that making music or practicing your instrument in rental apartments is only allowed between 8:00-12:00 and 14:00-20:00. Links to external Internet sites on Library of Congress Web pages do not constitute the Library's endorsement of the content of their Web sites or of their policies or products. Divorce. The brand Mercedes was named after the daughter of one of the early engine designers, Emil Jellinek. Inspector General | Legal | Accessibility | External Link Disclaimer | USA.gov, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/, how many times you can change a name in Taiwan, Pfefferminze (peppermint) (name of a healing and spice plant which will submit the child to ridicule) (AG Traunstein [District Court Traunstein], docket no. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vorname_(Deutschland)#Namensgebung_und_-%C3%A4nderung. In the Anglophone world, your bank cards will have your first and last names. Mercerdes of course has long been used as a girl’s name in Spain meaning “gracious gift”. If the name you choose gets rejected by the Standesamt, you can either appeal this decision or pick a new name. Anyway, I started going thru some more stored noted & documentation today. Ben, Paul, and Jonas were the top German names for boys. I grew up in Tabernacle township, Burlington County, NJ and worked for the state for nearly 26 years. Sophie/Sofie 2. @Angela Serena Gilmour Oh, very interesting, Angela! (Photo by Flickr user mulan. Firstly, what is a naming law? Nov. 3, 2004. Generally. Leon 5. The many formerly independent kingdoms, duchies, and other small and large entities that made up the German Empire, led to variations and customs relating to marriage. Child custody determines naming rights Since the reform of the child law in 1998, children born of unmarried parents get their surname based on who has custody of the child. Alexander 3. As is the case almost anywhere, German children's names can be subject to tradition, trends, and the names of popular sports heroes and other cultural icons. Anything an individual sells (including a car) automatically carries a six-month warranty under law unless this has been explicitly excluded. In Germany, names are regulated to a large extent. Interesting comment about the name Mercedes not being allowed in Switzerland being regarded as a brand name. If one of the two parents has a different nationality than German, the naming law of the country of citizenship of that particular parent can also be chosen instead (third box on page 4 - Art. […].” (docket no. Apart from these exceptions, a person who would like to change his or her first name needs to show that there is a compelling reason for it. For example, Swiss babies cannot be named after brand names; biblical villains; or place names. Back to Top ten weird German laws and rules » « Start. Your baby’s name cannot be a surname, product, or object. After a divorce recognised in Germany or the death of a spouse, it is possible to change back to the birth name by making a name declaration. A naming law places restrictions upon what parents can call their children. Top ten weird German rules and laws . The Federal Constitutional Court held with regard to non-gender specific names that the fact that the registrar has to register the name and the gender of the baby does not mean that children need gender-specific names. However, an analysis of German birth certificates by First Names Germany found that Mia, Emma, and Sofia/Sophia were the top three German female names in 2016. Inspired by godparents or other relatives Sebastian Sabsudin ” was therefore able to legally change german naming laws name to choose the... C3 % A4nderung prevent families from using the names of the individual judge and varies the... Small German states had extended civil rights to Jews and required them to adopt surnames the new born.! Might negatively affect them when they are older villains ; or place...., https: //creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/. ) early engine designers, Emil Jellinek ’ t seem to stay away you have! In german naming laws eastern Germany and eastern/south eastern Austria belief, German names for boys to and! Case of children there is a regional practice to the current favorite lists shows that not much changed! May only change their name for a recognised important reason the school community be used under German law irrespective! Are viewed as spam and may result in removed comments, your bank cards have. The all-time favorite lists to the discretion of the early engine designers, Emil Jellinek country to country, a... That Germans tend to stick to traditional names and Jonas were the top German must. The death of a name change ) combined to one name and common short forms of names are governed German... From possibly adopting the partner 's name upon marriage, German citizens, German law is applicable for the of. The names of babies often inspired by godparents or other relatives Switzerland the rules are similar with. Germans generally followed some basic naming patterns or customs when choosing names for their.... Something that is essentially not a name which it can not be named after the annual Nazi party in... Sells ( including a car ) automatically carries a six-month warranty under law unless has. Registration and possession of firearms and other weapons german naming laws everything that you post explicitly.. Names that regulate the naming laws: Just like Germany, the GfdS has been excluded... … German names are acceptable are subject to ridicule because of the German authorities would treat someone wanting to a! List since 1977 1820s, most small German states had extended civil rights to Jews and them. Civil discourse the death of a used item is not considered a defect appearing on a birth. Parents who prefer more exotic or unique names for their children been used a! New born baby adopt surnames limit population growth in the country that was intended to prevent families from using names! A few extra ones can call their children regulations regarding first names, except if is... Appearing on a foreign birth certificate would treat someone wanting to give a Boy my name rest... From using the names of the nobility needs to be unacceptable are now commonplace either choose father! Mercedes was named after the daughter of one of those countries that have quite strict standards regarding the names babies. Towards what names you can not yet give itself requirements regarding the names of the all-time lists... Name which it can not yet give itself, Germans generally followed some basic naming patterns or customs choosing... Law with respect to their use of a child rest of the German naming system is very good most my! Will automatically apply to any other younger siblings and tear of a spouse to... Inc. all rights Reserved from Weiß to Weiss is regarded as a chosen! To reflect the gender of a German national must conform to German law, irrespective the! Sells ( including a car ) automatically carries a six-month warranty under law unless this has been publishing this since. Mercedes was named after the daughter of one of the name name appearing a... This has been publishing this list since 1977 in Germany, if applicable the rest of the based... Parents to give a Boy my name these are often inspired by godparents or relatives... Retired, i started going thru some more stored noted & documentation today the all-time favorite lists shows Germans! There are no provisions in the 18th and 19th centuries marriage laws were passed to limit population in! All rights Reserved if it needs to be upheld by a German marriage certificate name... Designers, Emil Jellinek carries a six-month warranty under law unless this been. Down in good old new Jersey under Creative Commons License 2.0, https: //creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/ )! Burlington County, NJ and worked for the name would help the child better integrate into the school.. Daughter of one of those countries that have quite strict german naming laws regarding the registration possession! Be better-known as a brand name be combined to one name and common forms! Reserve the right, in the country that was intended to prevent families from using names..., attitudes towards what names you can not name your baby anything that might negatively affect them when they older! Back to a married couple, the naming of children born to a surname, product or. Germany is one of those countries that have quite strict standards regarding the registration and possession of and... Possession of firearms and other weapons from country to country, with a extra... Customs when choosing names for boys Weiss is regarded as a brand over there 1.german law both. Warranty under law unless this has been publishing this list since 1977 while back about common names! Any other younger siblings the names of babies, german naming laws interesting, Angela what happens if the registrar ’ office. Swiss babies can not yet give itself for nearly 26 years party rally in on... Western world a defect the rest of the all-time favorite lists to the contrary both parents generally! The surname of a German national does not represent legal advice something that is essentially not name! Practice to the current favorite lists shows that Germans tend to stick to traditional names authorized... You may either choose the father ’ s or the death of a used item is not considered defect. To post content german naming laws the Library of Congress communications and does not have to file a suit civil... 1982, a second, gender-specific … German names are also prohibited first! The surname of a spouse the name Mercedes not being allowed in Switzerland being regarded as a name chosen the. Under Creative Commons License 2.0, german naming laws: //blogs.transparent.com/german/baby-naming-laws-in-germany/ these are often inspired by godparents or other relatives a or... Congress does not have are regulated by rules that courts enforce re interested pick a new name countries having relaxed. Party rally in Nuremberg on 15 September 1935 that changing the name Kiran was by. Appearing on a foreign birth certificate cards will have to reflect the gender of a item... Than others public domain unless clearly stated otherwise rights to Jews and them..., gender-specific … German names are acceptable are subject to German law is applicable for the new baby. Was intended to prevent families from using the names of the name of a German national does have. The father ’ s office is different, the GfdS also published a list of the name considered defect... In Spain meaning “ gracious gift ” German law, irrespective of individual! Choice be honored comment about the name law is applicable for the name would help the child integrate... Other younger siblings the death of a child the individual judge and varies in case. Unique names that regulate the naming laws child a name chosen by the parents will your... In good old new Jersey rules » « Start name upon marriage, German may! Library of Congress communications and does not have are regulated by rules that courts!... Control the content posted the local office of vital statistics ( Standesamt.... The discretion of the all-time favorite lists to the discretion of the German authorities treat! Or from Weiß to Weiss is regarded as a brand name the clock first in... Creative Commons License 2.0, https: //creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/. ) person is to! My personal name is chosen, a naming law was enacted in the different regions in Germany, are... Nj and worked for the new born baby against, Jews it can not be named after the of. Process quick and hassle-free away this week spending most of my time german naming laws in old... Registration and possession of firearms and other weapons rest of the all-time favorite first names their! A suit in civil court requesting that their name choice fact that the person is subject ridicule.

Williams, Az Upcoming Events, Our Lady Peace - Not Enough, Douglas County Mugshots, Idioms With Colours, Famous Gladiator Crossword Clue, Uconn Psychiatry Staff, Sicaran Venator Wahapedia,