OFFENSIVE NAMES BANNED ON BIRTH CERTIFICATES

MBABANE - The Ministry of Home Affairs will no longer allow offensive names such as ‘Madliza’ on children’s birth certificates.
Some names are better left unsaid-at least, according to the new stance by the ministry. In an effort to curb bullying and protect children from social harm, the ministry has put a stop to the registration of offensive names, which will no longer be allowed on birth certificates. This initiative follows a worrying rise in bullying incidents, with children being teased or ostracised because of names deemed unusual or inappropriate by their peers. According to the ministry’s Communications Officer, Mlandvo Dlamini, this ban aims to protect children from long-term psychological effects, including labelling, low self-esteem and bullying. “We are seeing a rise in bullying cases sometimes because of these unusual names that parents give to their children,” he said.

The name ‘Madliza’ and others deemed offensive will no longer be accepted, a decision that has been in effect for some time now. The decision is a response to the real and serious consequences that children with unusual names often face. Such children may experience negative labelling, bullying and struggles with peer relationships, which can directly impact their academic performance. Children with offensive names often suffer from isolation, lower self-confidence and can be treated differently in social and academic settings.

Important

When it comes to parenting, the second most important decision whether to have a child or not, is choosing a name for the child. Even though we live in times where parents are getting more and more creative about picking a name, those with a more common name have a greater chance of being socially accepted than those without. Psychology Today suggests that children with unusual names or names carrying negative associations are often less popular, which can have lasting effects on their social interactions. Even in adulthood, those with ‘unattractive’ names may struggle in romantic relationships, which speaks to the wider impact of how a name shapes one’s identity in society. The dilemma of naming a child became the subject of a viral post on Reddit, a popular social media platform and online community where users can share questions and answers, when a mother-to-be wanted to name her son ‘Gaylord’, a name with a controversial and outdated stigma.

Despite her family’s support, her husband and in-laws were adamant against it, citing the risks of bullying and social rejection. Eventually, a compromise was reached: the child would be named ‘Gale Gaylord’, with Gaylord becoming a middle name. This case highlights the delicate balance parents face between tradition and modern-day social sensitivities. As society evolves, so too do the conventions around what names are considered acceptable. But for many, the stigma attached to certain names proves difficult to overcome, with potentially lifelong consequences. In Eswatini, this move to ban offensive names is a reflection of a broader global trend, where the importance of a name in shaping a child’s future is being increasingly recognised. As children head into an uncertain world, it’s hoped that these new regulations will help shield them from undue harm, allowing them to grow up in environments where they can flourish without the burden of an offensive name weighing them down.

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