For Brazilian parents living in Italy, choosing a name for their baby is not just a matter of personal taste, but also involves understanding and respecting the laws, cultural norms and limits of the Italian bureaucratic system. If you are expecting a child in Italy, here are five important points to consider before making this very special decision.
1. Foreign names are generally allowed
Although Italy allows some flexibility in choosing names, there are restrictions. The baby's name cannot be a surname, it cannot be considered “ridiculous or shameful” and it must correspond to the child's sex.
Foreign names, on the other hand, are accepted, as long as they are written using letters of the Italian alphabet. However, if the local registrar considers the name questionable, he can refer the case to a court, which may require another name to be chosen.
2. You cannot name your child after either parent.
Unlike some cultures, where it is common to name a child after one of the parents or add a 'Junior' or 'Son' to the name, Italian law prohibits a child from having the same first name name of a living parent or sibling.
This rule may surprise families who have a tradition of perpetuating names throughout generations.
3. Middle names are uncommon in Italy
If you plan to give your child a middle name, be prepared for possible confusion. In Italy, the concept of a middle name is not common and can cause bureaucratic complications, such as inconsistencies in documents.
Furthermore, Italians tend to treat compound nouns as “name two”, which means that both names are used together in everyday life.
4. You can use both parents' surnames
In 2022, the Italian Constitutional Court ruled that babies can receive the surnames of both parents.
Although the tradition is still to use only the father's surname, the number of families who choose to include the mother's surname is growing.
5. You need to be quick
In Italy, parents have a short period of time to register the birth of their baby: three days if it is done in the hospital or up to ten days if they choose to register at the municipal registry office. (Stato Civile). Therefore, it is important to have a good idea of the name you want before the birth, to avoid last-minute rushes.
Understanding and adapting to these rules is essential to ensure that the process of choosing and registering your child's name in Italy is smooth and legal. (Photo: Depositphotos)
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