A name, according to the court, has two parts: (1) the given or proper name and (2) the surname or family name. The given or proper name is that which is given to the individual at birth or at baptism, to distinguish him from other individuals. The surname or family name is that which identifies the family to which he belongs and is continued from parent to child.
Parents are free to select the given name of their child, but the law fixes the surname to which the child is entitled to use. Middle names, on the other hand, are not regulated by law, although the Filipino custom is to use the mother’s surname as the child’s middle name. Still, you cannot drop or delete your middle name. Middle names serve to identify the maternal lineage or filiation of a person as well as further distinguish him from others who may have the same given name and surname as he has.
Now, going back to the first name, we’ve discussed that the parents have the discretion to select the first name of their child. We’ve called this the name game, something which could go too far. In New Zealand, according to an article, registration officials disallowed some weird names, including Fish and Chips, Yeah Detroit, Keenan Got Lucy and Sex Fruit. Others, like Number 16 Bus Shelter and Violence were allowed. A judge in New Zealand took it upon himself to change the name of a minor, originally: Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii.
I’m not sure if officials at the Civil Registrar’s Office have the discretion to “disallow” a first name, but I’m sure that it’s no longer necessary to change first names and correct clerical errors is. (Please go here to read more and to see the sources.)
