Banned Baby Names in Sweden

Recently, the Swedish Tax Agency rejected parents’ attempts to name their newborn child Jihad or Jehad, saying those names may cause discomfort for the child. There is a naming law in Sweden (lag om personnamn, also known as namnlagen) that lists banned baby names.

Jehad is a common name in the Middle East and means “struggle” or “striving”, and around 900 people have it as their first name in Sweden. However, the agency’s decision only applies to newborns.

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The naming law in Sweden is a law that requires the approval of the government agency for names to be given to Swedish children. The parents must submit the proposed name for a child within 3 months of the child’s birth. The current law was enacted in 2017, replacing a 1982 law. The Swedish Tax Agency administers name registration in Sweden. The law has been revised since its original enactment; in 1983, it became possible for a man to adopt his wife’s or partner’s name, and for a woman to adopt her husband’s name.

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Banned names in Sweden include Superman, IKEA, and Elvis.

Jehad Hameed, living in Malmo, says he is proud of his name and thinks the decision is a little strange and somewhat comical.

However, Sweden generally bans names that are “obviously unsuitable” as a first name. They also ban names that could cause offense or discomfort to someone using them. Parents who do not submit their desired name for their child to the Swedish Tax Agency within 3 months of their baby’s birth may face a fine for failing to register a name.

Banned Baby Names in Sweden, Tor Kjolberg reporting.