Alternatively, should children be allowed to change their names to one in a restricted list anytime before 18, then to anything after 18?
Yes.
Children with stupid names should be allowed to change their parents’ names!
The chaotic option, I like it.
Several countries have laws about naming to prevent stupid/abusive/non-traditional names (use cases vary by country)
This is already location-dependent. I think Iceland has the most restrictive legislation with a prescribed list to choose from. Other countries have a layer of “is this really a name?” checking as part of the registration process after birth and parents can be sent back to square one.
I think there is a balance to be had where you can’t get away with xc1>df or whatever but you could name your kid after a GoT character that tragically turned evil in the last season. My suggestion would be to include a second given name that is more established than Khalisi or Dumbledore, e.g. Kelly and David. If Khalisi Kelly’s last name is Knox obvs I wouldn’t insist on the alliteration. My point is then your child has a plan B when they get mocked for being called Hobbit in school. They can just go by Henry or whatever other boring name made the cut. That way you don’t need to get into a complicated legal situation where a minor would have to override the wish of their parents.
After reaching adulthood legally, virtually anybody can try to change their name. Although the process may involve having to prove harm to get it approved in some places. I think there is a correlation between a laissez-faire attitude to naming and ease of getting a name change. In countries that are stricter to begin with, the hurdles are much higher and can be much costlier.
This question should be illegal. Name changes should be simple and up to the individual when they have autonomy. Before then, you get whatever your parents want, because names are just made up nonsense anyway.
If you are going to propose a law, you need to define “stupid”
Misspellings of popular names (Anna but spelled Aeigheynneah) and things that are judged to be too othering.
Aeigheynneah
how is that even close to pronounced the same as Anna? most half the word would have to be silent.
look up spelling systems of Gaelic languages (e.g. Irish, Scottish Gaelic), that is not too far off
For example Caoimhe, pronounced Keeva.
Despite having heard the name Siobhan (pronounced Sheh-vaugn), I never saw it written until many years later and in an unrelated circumstance so I assumed it was pronounced “Sigh-Oh-Ban”. Irish names are insanely confusing for anyone who isn’t Irish and I’ll eternally argue there’s no shame in getting one wrong.
