Germany says two family names is enough

Germany's highest court has told a married couple they cannot combine their family names. Dentist Frieda Rosemarie Thalheim and her lawyer husband Hans-Peter Kunz-Hallstein wanted to join their surnames together. This would mean Frieda would have the triple-barrelled surname Thalheim-Kunz-Hallstein. The judge pointed to a 1993 law which says it is illegal for anyone to use more than two last names. The reason for this is that if a surname is made up of more than two family names, it becomes difficult to trace back someone’s family history. After the decision, the couple said they were disappointed they could not link their names. Hans-Peter said: "We're married and we want to show it."
Double-barrelled names are very common in Germany. However, the country has very strict rules on family names. According to German law, married couples can choose to use their partner’s surname, keep their own surname, or combine both names. If the couple decides to use both names, they must link them with a hyphen. Parents have a list of approved children’s names to choose from. These names are in a guide book, the “International Handbook of Forenames”. In this case, Frieda Rosemarie Thalheim argued the decision abused her personal rights. The judges said they wanted to stop a growing trend for “name chains”. They said these lessened the impact of a name to do what it was supposed to do, which is to identify people.

Conversation Questions:

a) What did you think when you read the headline?
b) What springs to mind when you hear the word ‘surname’?
c) What do you think about double-barrelled and triple-barrelled names?
d) What do you think about your name?
e) Do you agree with the German court’s decision in this case?
f) What do you know about the history of your family name?
g) What happens if two people with double-barrelled names get married?
h) Is it really a government’s decision to decide on family names?
i) Don’t you think it’s easier to stick to the traditional system of the woman taking the man’s surname?
j) How would you feel about giving up your surname after marriage?
k) Are double-barrelled names common in your country?
l) If you had to change your name, what new name would you choose?
m) What names do you like and dislike and why?
n) Are there any names you think should be banned?
o) What do you think of people who choose strange names for their kids?
Is the German court abusing Frieda’s personal rights?
Are you your name?
What is a name supposed to do?
What questions would you ask Frieda Rosemarie Thalheim?