Could Elvis be a girl?

by Roger Sinasohn (Subscribe to Roger Sinasohn's posts) Jun 5th 2008 1:06PM

Categories: Newborns, Pregnancy & Birth, Weird But True

The way things worked out, I was given the task of naming both my sons. When my wife was pregnant with our first son, I thought long and hard about what qualities were important to me, what my aspirations were for him, and what I most wanted to share with him. I came up with the perfect name, too, to incorporate all of this: Redwood. And so his name is Jared. My experience with my second son (third child) was similar. I chose Tuolumne. His name is Ezra.

And so I can sympathize with a Swedish couple who are having difficulty with their new daughter's name. Only, this time it's not the wife or mother-in-law that is vetoing the appellative choice, it's the government. You see, in Sweden, children's names have to be approved by the Skatteverket -- the National Tax Board. Personally, I would think that, so long as any relevant fees and taxes are paid in a timely manner, they wouldn't really care what you called your kid, but I guess they do.

So what's this horrendous moniker these terrible parents want to bestow on their child? Well, it's Elvis. Yes, Elvis, as in The King of Rock and Roll. Only, that's not why they picked it. "We talked about lots of names," says the mother, Linda "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." Actually, it was the gender-neutral part that sold them on the name.

Crazy Celebrity Kids' Names(click thumbnails to view gallery)

The Skatteverket disagreed, however, ruling 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 couple plans to appeal the decision. It is worth noting that last year, a couple was able to convince the Skatteverket to let them name their daughter Metallica.

As for me, I'm with the parents. If they like the name and feel it fits their criteria, then so be it. There are certainly a lot worse names than Elvis that have been bestowed on children.

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Comments (78)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

Derrick 6-05-2008 @ 2:08PM

Perhaps a worse name would be Metallica perhaps?

misty 6-05-2008 @ 6:57PM

I actually know a girl named Elvis Ann--and she's fine with it. Somebody should tell the Swedish govt that there's already a female in the US with that name--so now it's a girl's name! The name means "elfin", by the way--which could be male or female, right?

Brenda 6-05-2008 @ 2:13PM

I wouldn't name my daughter Elvis, but then I wouldn't name my son Carol either.

Moose Karloff 6-08-2008 @ 7:33PM

"Elvis," as a name, is a bastardization of a Scandanavian name "Alwys," so, what's the big deal? The name "Elvis" is also an approximation of the name "Heloise," so, again, what's the issue? And Brenda, the name "Carol," like "Leslie," "Clare," and "Beverly," is totally appropriate for both genders. Why are people so backward, mundane and parochial in their thinking? Maybe because they're backward, mundane and parochial themselves.

De 6-05-2008 @ 2:31PM

So many names are co-ed these days. This should not even be an issue.

Char 6-06-2008 @ 2:39AM

I think people should be able to name their children whatever they want and, hopefully, they will use common sense when naming them.
As far as naming a girl, Elvis, there are many names that used to be boys names that are now being used for girls.
Hillary was originally a boy's name.
Ashley was a boy's name... yes, Ashley... don't believe me?
Look it up, or, watch "Gone With the Wind".

paul from nd 6-05-2008 @ 2:31PM

This is called freedom in Europe. Is this the kind of freedom you want. If so, vote Obama.

Tori 6-05-2008 @ 5:06PM

Amen.

Buckwheat 6-05-2008 @ 2:38PM

MY NAME IS SUE HOW DO YOU DO ?
NOW YOUR GOING TO DIE !

JOHNNY CASH ( R.I.P )

jonas 6-05-2008 @ 2:39PM

they should just name her Obama! we don't really know what he is, or maybe Billary would be better.

heidi 6-05-2008 @ 2:47PM

i love elvis presley but naming a girl elvis how stupid,thats probably one of the dummest things i have heard in awhile. do these people realize what they are doing to their child, she will be criticized and laughed at and need therapy. i believe it is the parents that need therapy.

MyIonYou 6-10-2008 @ 10:22PM

And who is the "dummest" (dumbest) of them all when we can't spell in America?
Respect the opinions of others, and learn to spell.

David 6-05-2008 @ 2:54PM

Well, the writer is an idiot for thinking "Redwood" and "Tuolumne" are perfect names for his sons. Exactly, what kind of "aspirations" did he have for his sons?!?!? "Jared" and "Ezra" isn't much better either.

And Elvis is a masculine name. Why would some parent want to name their daughter "a gender neutral name" anyways?!?!?

infoasked 6-05-2008 @ 3:56PM

In case she's gay?

Alyssa 6-05-2008 @ 6:07PM

I would ask why any parent would want to name their daughter something like Tiffany or Brittany. It's an opinion, which everyone has a right to have. Personally, I like gender-neutral names for girls. Not if a gun was to my head would I name my daughter Amy or Mary.

heyjimmy! 6-05-2008 @ 10:18PM

whats wrong with ezra? my brother is named ezra. sure, its a little different, but it isnt unheard of! i know a lot of ezras!

Nora 6-06-2008 @ 1:55AM

Seems to me like a few people need to...UP their attitudes!
In my opinion parents should be able to name their child whatever they decide and not have to worry about what others say, or what others think. If the child is raised with the love of the parents, taught respect, and lives in a good moral home , than that's all that matters. Regardless of their name, in most cases the child will grow up with the confidence to become a productive citizen. Isn't that what really matters?

Becky 6-06-2008 @ 12:13AM

Oh my goodness, he was joking on the Redwood and Touline names. Didn't you get it?

cathy rohrscheib 6-05-2008 @ 2:59PM

any child with a name to tease at should have there parents looked up an beaten.or at a certan age we name our selves

Princess 6-05-2008 @ 7:19PM

cathy rohrscheib 6-05-2008 @ 2:59PM
"any child with a name to tease at should have there parents looked up an beaten.or at a certan age we name our selves"

In case you haven't noticed Cathy, ANY name can be teased. It doesn't matter if you name your daughter Scooter Pie or Mary Elizabeth it can be made fun of.