A Nigerian woman living in Denmark has expressed frustration after the Danish authorities reportedly rejected her choice of “Ebuka” as her son’s second name.
The woman said the experience began after she and her family sought to register their newborn’s names in Denmark, where, according to her, parents are required to obtain approval for baby names from the relevant church and government authorities.
She explained that while the authorities approved “William” as the child’s first name, they declined to approve “Ebuka” as his second name.
According to her, the authorities questioned the authenticity and usage of the name, asking her to provide evidence that Nigerians actually bear the name “Chukwuebuka.”
The woman said she found the request surprising, particularly because Chukwuebuka is a name used by Nigerians. She lamented the difficulty involved in having a Nigerian name recognised under the Danish naming system, saying she was now required to provide proof of the name’s existence and usage among Nigerians.
The development has drawn attention to the challenges that immigrants may encounter when attempting to preserve their cultural naming traditions while complying with naming regulations in their host countries.
For the Nigerian woman, the issue is not merely about choosing a name for her child but also about preserving part of his Nigerian identity and heritage.
By Musekir Faisat Omolara
