Icelandic Girl Keeps Her Name, Will Not Be Called ‘Girl’ Anymore

Reykjavik, Iceland – A 15-year-old girl who had been referred to as “Girl,” because Icelandic authorities did not regard her name as feminine, has won the right to use her given name.

Blaer Bjarkardottir fought the opposition of authorities and Iceland’s strict laws regarding names in order to keep the name that her mother gave her, as opposed to being legally referred to as “Girl,” reports MSN.

The court ruled Thursday that she can keep the name “Blaer,” which means “gentle breeze.”

Initially, Icelandic authorities wouldn’t let her keep her name because they didn’t regard it as feminine. In communications with officials and on official documents, she had been identified simply as “Girl.”

This may sound like an Onion story, but I promise you it’s definitely not. Germany and Denmark, in addition to Iceland, do indeed have official rules and laws about what you can name your baby. In Iceland, a baby’s name must conform to grammar and pronunciation rules.

“I’m very happy,” Blaer said after the ruling. “I’m glad this is over. Now I expect I’ll have to get new identity papers. Finally I’ll have the name Blaer in my passport.”

Blaer’s mother, Bjork Eidsdottir, has also fought alongside her daughter for the name to be officially recognized. Thanks to the court ruling, other girls will be able to use the name “Blaer” from now on, as well.

According to The Huffington Post, Eidsdottir didn’t know that the name “Blaer” was on the black list when she named her daughter. It was thought to be too masculine by the panel who reviewed the case, which is why they named her “Girl.” Just so you got that, a name that means “gentle breeze” is too masculine.

I can’t wait for the Lifetime film, Not Without My Daughter’s Name.