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Countries where the separation of church and state is non-existent or blurred are usual candidates. But I can think of one glaring exception: In France , a country celebrated for its republic, the state has strict regulations over the suitability of names.

I remember a news item of two or three years ago. A French family with the name Renault decided to name their daughter Megane. The authorities intervened, because "Renault Megane" is a French automobile, and they decreed that it would be inappropriate as a human name. I am afraid I wasn't able to find a reference on Google.

• Hard to believe? Naming laws still exist today... - Nanaea  Sep 7 2001, 6:29:21 AM
  • Re: Hard to believe? Naming laws still exist today... - roy  Sep 9 2001, 1:46:39 AM
  • You know? This isn't a bad idea! - Andrea  Sep 7 2001, 8:22:45 AM
    • Re: You know? This isn't a bad idea! - Cheryl  Sep 8 2001, 1:27:24 PM
      • Re: You know? This isn't a bad idea! - Daividh  Sep 8 2001, 6:45:02 PM
        • It ain't a good idea... - Nanaea  Sep 8 2001, 8:57:11 PM
          • I agree with you Davidh and Nan, and... - Andrea  Sep 8 2001, 10:02:17 PM
            • Re: I agree with you Davidh and Nan, and... - Nanaea  Sep 9 2001, 6:54:38 AM
              • "I vas born in Dusseldorf und zat is vy zey call me Rolf!" n/t - Pavlos  Sep 9 2001, 7:59:24 AM
                • Is this an impression of Zero Mostel? OK, I'm getting a clue... n/t - Andrea  Sep 9 2001, 5:30:45 PM
                  • Not even close, Andrea. Go rent the danged movie and check him out yourself. The man defies description!ession of Zero Mostel? OK, I'm getting a clue... n/t - Daividh  Sep 9 2001, 5:51:35 PM
                    • OK. n/t - Andrea  Sep 9 2001, 10:17:19 PM
                    • Also rent "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" while you're at it. Oh yeah, and... - Nanaea  Sep 9 2001, 6:33:11 PM
                      • Sounds like I'll recognized him when I see him. n/t - Andrea  Sep 9 2001, 10:18:20 PM
      • I'm not talking about silly names like Fanny and Lulu... - Andrea  Sep 8 2001, 5:41:32 PM
        • In Australia... - Nanaea  Sep 8 2001, 5:46:31 PM
          • That must contribute to many a confusing tender moment in Australian/American relationships. n/t - Andrea  Sep 8 2001, 9:54:11 PM
            • LOL! I'll bet. :) n/t - Nanaea  Sep 9 2001, 6:36:47 AM
      • Sometimes it's hard to tell when our Andrea is being serious. n/t ;) - Nanaea  Sep 8 2001, 2:38:25 PM
    • Except, Andrea, you might just have the luck to get a semi-literate Civil Servant... - Nanaea  Sep 7 2001, 8:32:40 AM
      • Ah, where do we draw the line? What is unusual, and what is cruel-and-unusual? n/t - Andrea  Sep 8 2001, 5:44:48 PM
        • FANNY! Hahahahahaha! ;) n/t - Nanaea  Sep 8 2001, 5:47:31 PM
          • LOL! Oh, THAT'S where we draw the line! n/t - Andrea  Sep 9 2001, 5:32:05 PM
  • BtN assignment for anyone with an interest... - Nanaea  Sep 7 2001, 6:36:20 AM
    • Re: BtN assignment for anyone with an interest... - 'Cole  Sep 8 2001, 1:41:04 PM
      • Re: BtN assignment for anyone with an interest... - Nanaea  Sep 8 2001, 2:40:34 PM
    • Re: BtN assignment for anyone with an interest... - Pavlos  Sep 7 2001, 7:04:57 AM
      • More... - Pavlos  Sep 7 2001, 7:14:56 AM
        • Hey, Oh Greek One... - Phyllis  Sep 8 2001, 5:33:55 PM
          • Many thanks for the tip Gaia :) You made my Sunday! n/t - Pavlos  Sep 9 2001, 8:07:11 AM
            • Re: Many thanks for the tip Gaia :) You made my Sunday! n/t - Phyllis  Sep 12 2001, 10:20:52 PM
        • The French must be loosening up a bit at last... - Nanaea  Sep 7 2001, 8:04:04 AM
          • Cool :) n/t - Pavlos  Sep 7 2001, 9:07:19 AM