More Name Calling

So first there were baby name consultants, then there was name branding, and then followed choosing names by their Internet-related content.

And then there are the crazy, out-of-control names. It's such a fascinating thing to read about parents who, being denied naming their son "4Real", settled on "Superman" instead. Or the couple in China who named their son "@" (In Chinese, it's pronounced "ah-te" which roughly translates to "love him."

But in Venezuela, names have gotten so complicated that the government has decided to get involved. This isn't so surprising, since a fair number of countries have "name approval" processes, such as Sweden, New Zealand, and Germany. But Venezuela wants a list of 100 approved names for everyone to choose from. Sure, that would cut down on names like "Iroshima Jennifer Bravo Quevedo" or "Hitler Adonys Rodríguez Crespo," but a simple list of 100 names would suddenly flood the market with duplicates.

Which is worse? Having to spell out "Temutchin del Espíritu Santo" every time you go to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, or having to explain that you're a different Manuel Martinez?