April 5, 2007

What's in a name?

The BBC is reporting that a Swedish couple cannot legally name their baby girl Metallica, because the name contains 'metal', and is a band's name. The couple had already baptized her with that name, but now cannot go on any vacations out of the country, because tax officials won't grant the baby a passport.

Karolina Tomaro said: "We had to cancels trips and can't get anywhere because we can't get her a passport without an approved name."

The law in Sweden insists that parents must get approval of both first and second names officially in a bid to avoid what they consider offensive or unsuitable choices.