Consumer: New name right: Double name could become more popular again

Double names have their followers and opponents – however, their creation has been much easier since today. From now on, a new name right, according to the spouse, can lead a common double name with or without a hyphen. So far, only one spouse has been able to do this.

However, there is a restriction: “To avoid name chains, the number of individual names from which the new double name can be determined is limited to two,” says the federal government. There will be no wording like Max and Erika Mustermann-Müller-Meier in the future.

Even if the parents decide against a double name, children can get a double name according to the new name right. If the parents do not determine a family name after the birth of their child, the child even automatically receives a double name. In addition, the first family name, to which parents set for a child, also applies to other children.

Minorities such as Frisians and Sorbs benefit

The traditions of the minorities recognized in Germany are also taken into account – for example, the request of the Sorbian minority in eastern Germany to turn the family name after gender. According to tradition, the last name of women is extended by a certain ending. So far, this was not possible.

It is also said to be allowed to determine relatives of the Frisian ethnic group to derive a derivation from the first name of a parent as the child’s birth name. From this, for example, Jansen or Peters becomes when the father is called Jan or Peter. But the last name can also be formed after the mother.