SWEDISH COUPLE DENIED NAMING THEIR BABY VLADIMIR PUTIN

When a baby is born in Sweden, the parents have to report the baby’s name to the Swedish tax agency, Skatteverket.

While it’s a given that most baby names are approved, authorities have declined a couple’s wish to name their baby Vladimir Putin.

In the town of Laholm, little baby Vladimir Putin will have to be renamed.

According to Swedish law, first names are not allowed to be offensive or become a risk causing problem for the person bearing the name. First names that are obviously surnames are also not allowed to be used.

It was not clear which of these principles formed the basis of the tax agency’s decision, but it is not the first time the tax agency turns down similar requests. Other names that have been given the snub through the years include Ford, Allah, Pilzner, and Q.

While the name Vladimir is not the problem, in fact, there are 1,413 people in Sweden named Vladimir, it’s the coupling with the surname Putin that the Swedish tax agency did not like.

It’s not clear what the baby’s new name will be and whether authorities have approved it yet.

Image credit: Press Wire 18