Recently, a case widely circulated on websites and social media platforms sparked a discussion regarding a person's right to choose a name that feels more aligned with their life. This occurred after a Court of First Instance in Amman approved a young woman's request to change her name from "Mahdiyyah" to "Maha," following proof that her original name caused her repeated instances of mockery and embarrassment extending into her university and social life, leaving psychological impacts on her.
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The case reopened discussion surrounding the phenomenon of changing names through the courts, particularly since a name may be legally sound with no error in its registration, yet its holder may wish to replace it for personal, social, or practical reasons.
A request to change a name is not necessarily linked to the name being objectionable or improper; the court may consider the presence of serious justifications and legitimate interest for the applicant, including the embarrassment, ridicule, or recurring difficulties they might face due to the name.
Article 32 of the law states that changing data in civil status records is carried out by order of the Director-General of the Civil Status and Passports Department based on a final judicial ruling. Meanwhile, rulings of the Court of Cassation have settled that Courts of First Instance hold jurisdiction over name-change lawsuits.
Dr. Al-Jabali emphasizes that the desire to change one's name does not necessarily signal a psychological problem, nor should a person's feelings be dismissed under the pretext that "a name is just a name". She highlights that the most important aspect is understanding what the name represents to its owner and whether the decision to change it stems from a conscious desire to choose an identity more aligned with oneself, or an attempt to escape the effects of deeper psychological experiences.
In this context, Dr. Al-Jabali calls on parents to carefully consider names before giving them to their children and to account for the possibility of a name becoming a cause for ridicule or bullying, without falling into excessive fear of others' opinions. She stresses the importance of building a child's self-confidence and teaching them that their self-worth is not defined by their name or how others perceive them.
Motivations for changing names are not restricted to social and psychological aspects; some may relate to the religious interpretation of a name, especially when it carries an objectionable or negative connotation, or implies a meaning inconsistent with Islamic belief.
Changing Names with Negative Connotations
Dr. Zaytoun cites examples from the Prophetic Tradition (Sunnah), where the Prophet peace be upon him changed names carrying negative connotations to better ones. Examples include changing the name "Aasiyah" (disobedient) to "Jameelah" (beautiful), and "Huzn" (sadness) to "Sahl" (easy), along with other names that held objectionable or repellent meanings.
Dr. Zaytoun notes that a name can become part of a person's psychological and social image, and an objectionable or embarrassing name can subject its owner to ridicule or shame. Consequently, changing it in such cases relieves the owner of hardship, whether regarding their personal name or, in certain instances, a family name if it conveys a repellent meaning.
Between legal, religious, and psychological considerations, a name does not remain a mere word in its owner's life; it can transform into a core part of their identity and self-image before themselves and others.
Ultimately, selecting a name from the beginning remains a responsibility resting upon parents, while the law permits anyone who demonstrates serious justifications and a legitimate interest to pursue the judicial path to change it, far from viewing the matter as a mere whim or requiring the name to be strictly "objectionable" to warrant a change.
Resource: Al-Ghad. Reporting: Taghreed Al-Sa'aydeh
