When choosing names for their children, many parents opt to honor a cherished family member or draw inspiration from favorite books or TV shows. Typically, this approach results in mainstream names, but for one Italian couple, it led to a court case where their chosen name was overruled by a judge.
In 2008, an Italian couple named Mara O. and Roberto G. decided to name their son Venerdi, which means "Friday" in Italian. This name was inspired by a character in Daniel Defoe's 1719 novel Robinson Crusoe. Although the couple liked the name, the judge did not share their enthusiasm. The judge was concerned that the name, associated with a character who was a servant, might expose the child to "mockery" and connotations of "subservience and inferiority." As a result, the judge renamed the boy Gregorio, after the saint's day on which he was born.
Though this decision might seem harsh, it aligns with Italian law. According to a lawyer interviewed by The Telegraph, judges have the authority to change names if they believe the name could hinder the child’s social interactions or cause emotional distress. Annoyed by the ruling, the parents jokingly threatened to name their next child Mercoledi, which means "Wednesday" in Italian. 🤣😂
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