Brussels Prevents Israeli Couple From Naming Baby “Jerusalem”

We have previously discussed how some countries require approval of names or ban the use of some names. This includes a recent court order stripping a baby of the name “Messiah.” Now the city of Brussels has told an Israeli couple that they cannot name their child “Jerusalem” because it is not on the official list of permissible baby names.

As we have previously discussed, the notion of an official name list is highly offensive to many Americans. This would seem the sole discretion of the family in naming its members.

Hagar and Alinadav Hyman wanted their first-born to be named Alma Jerusalem because they “grew up in Jerusalem, we met in Jerusalem and we very much miss the city.” What is striking is that the first name is actually Alma and yet they still were barred from using the name. Beside it is a bit better than Hagar for their daughter girl.

Here the rub: it turns out that Bethlehem does appear on the list. Just not Jerusalem.