I*m totally not thinking about doing this! I was just wondering, because I read a newsstory about parentstrying to name their child 4real and superman, and their country wouldn*t allow them. In the U.S. could you name u child God or Satan?
2007-08-09 14:47:20 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Yes. It is an unreasonable interference in a person's privacy rights to tell a parent what they may or may not name their child, even if we all know it is in the best interests of the child that the parents not do something so stupid. That's why there's Moon Unit Zappy, Dweezel Zappa, and Prince, who once changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol, but who has since changed his name back. By the way, Prince was his real name, not a stage name. That's also why George Forman was allowed to name all of his sons George.
2007-08-09 16:41:04 · answer #1 · answered by mcmufin 6 · 7⤊ 0⤋
In the United States, you can name your child anything you want, and usually courts will allow you to change your name to just about anything. For example, in recent years, a college basketball player named Shammgod Wells changed his name to God Shammgod (not sure on the spelling).
The real controversies would likely be over names which might be considered obscene, but I imagine that if the parents were willing to keep pushing, they'd win.
As to "Jesus," it is unusual but not unheard-of in the English-speaking cultures (one of the most prominent early figures in CIA counterintelligence was James Jesus Angleton). Until fairly recently the name Jesus was known in African-American culture. Remember also that "Jesus" is just the Greek form of the Aramaic-Hebrew name we know as "Joshua."
In many European countries, however (Germany in particular), authorities will not permit the civil registration of odd names. Just one of the differences among countries and cultures.
2007-08-09 15:02:57 · answer #2 · answered by greyguy 6 · 11⤊ 0⤋
It may require a court hearing to determine the legality in the state of residence as different states have varying laws concerning those issues. There was in fact a court hearing for a person who thought he was so opinionated as to be called "They" and actually legally changed his name to "They" which is heard in everyday casual language when people are talking about "They say it's ...blah..blah...blah" . You've heard it before I know. So I'm sure that if the child's name was challenged there would be a court hearing to decide if it were permissible. Keep in mind that if it were permissible for one person it would be permissible for everyone and so there would be many Gods running around. Sort of like ancient times.
2007-08-09 15:01:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I don't think the U.S. goverment has any authority to say what you can and can't name your child. So theoretically you could name your son "Jeaus God Satan Superman" and they couldn't do anything about it. Poor, poor kid though.
2007-08-09 14:57:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 20⤊ 0⤋
Isn't there a hockey player with the last name of Satan...pronounced > sa TAN
2007-08-09 14:51:12 · answer #5 · answered by rjrmpk 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Jesus was the son of God. In Hispanic cultures, what is one of the most common given names? Jesus! So, one could name their child after God or Satan...Besides, there are so many names for either God or Satan...
2007-08-09 14:53:58 · answer #6 · answered by Nothingusefullearnedinschool 7 · 1⤊ 6⤋
freedom of speech i suppose. it's some sort of freedom. lol People would probably frown upon you.. but people name their kids jesus all the time... so you could make that a point too. It would just make it harder on your kids
2007-08-09 14:52:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
No way would I ever to that to a kid! Legal to do so in the US? Yes, it is. You can name your kid whatever you want.
2007-08-09 15:28:12 · answer #8 · answered by cassandra_sd 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
yes. you can name your child anything.
2007-08-09 14:55:18 · answer #9 · answered by CSSW 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No. I think I've heard of someone naming their kid "Jesus" or the Spanish equivalent of it... I'd go with Satan ;)
2007-08-09 15:07:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 5⤋