Swedish tax authorities have barred a couple from naming their five-month old daughter “Elvis.” The couple is determined to keep the name and is appealing the decision.
The couple in Stockholm named their daughter “Elvis” five months ago after she was born, but tax authorities today asked them to change the name to a more feminine one.
The baby’s mother Linda told
Metro, a Swedish newspaper:
"We talked about lots of names and then Elvis popped up. We thought it was a name that was both pretty and gender-neutral. We're not Elvis Presley fans at all."
Linda said the main reason they chose the name was because it was “gender-neutral.”
Swedish Tax authorities released the following statement to the press as to why they denied the name “Elvis”:
"It is the National Tax Board's view that Elvis is a first name of a masculine type and as such may, in light of standard practice, be considered clearly inappropriate as a first name for a woman."
The parents have appealed this decision and hope tax authorities will change their opinion. Even if they refuse, the parents are determined to call her “Elvis.”
I think the couple will likely succeed because last year another couple named their baby “Metallica” and the same Swedish tax authorities
changed their decision after a prolonged court battle.
The name “
Elvis” has the following origin and meaning:
Elvis \e-lvis, el-vis\ is pronounced EL-viss. It is of Scandinavian origin, and its meaning is "all-wise".
Since the name is of Scandinavian origin, the parents have every right to name the girl “Elvis”. Do you agree?