by Rabbi Jonny Roodyn
A French court has stopped parents from naming their baby girl Nutella after the hazelnut spread, ruling that it would make her the target of derision.
The judge ordered that the child be called Ella instead.
He said in his ruling that the name Nutella was the trade name of a spread that is commonplace in Gallic homes.
"And it is contrary to the child's interest to have a name that can only lead to teasing or disparaging thoughts," he pronounced.
French parents are usually free to choose the names of their children, but local prosecutors are empowered to report what they deem to be unsuitable names to a family court.
Judaism takes names very seriously, indeed the Talmud spends much time trying to understand the significance of names.
Rather than being a random label your name is really a blessing that your parents give you and your essence.
Therefore we choose names that have positive connotations and symbolism and name after loved ones who made a positive contribution to the world. This ties the child to their heritage of both their family and the Jewish people.
Naming children is so significant that we consider the parents receiving divine inspiration when choosing the name of a child!
There is also a concept of “onaas devarim” which is loosely translated as verbal abuse. To give a child a name that could cause them pain and anguish and would be considered a form of this infraction. It is subjective to societal norms, but in the instance of Nutella the court was acting in the child’s best interest.
Naming a child is a tremendous opportunity to define the child. Your son or daughter can be given a name that will inspire them and endear them to others or they could receive a name that could be used to harm them.
