Can I give my child any name I want in Denmark?
Mostly — but the name must be approved, and there are some limits. The child must have a first name and a surname within 6 months of birth. The first name must be on the list of approved first names published by the Family Law House; if the name is new, it is assessed against three requirements — it must be a genuine first name, not unsuitable and not offensive. A boy cannot be given a girl's name, and a girl cannot be given a boy's name — only unisex names cross over. A surname held by more than 2,000 people is free; otherwise it is protected. What parents forget is the surname: give the child none and it automatically takes the mother's. Miss the deadline for a first name and you can be fined.
📋 The rules
- The child must have a name within 6 months of birth
- The first name must be on the list of approved names
- New names must be genuine, not unsuitable and not offensive
- A boy cannot be given a girl's name or vice versa
- A surname with more than 2,000 bearers is free
🔓 Exceptions
- Only unisex names can be used across gender
- If you do not give the child a surname, it automatically takes the mother's surname
- In Sønderjylland children are named via the municipality, not by baptism
⚠️ Penalties & fines
If the child has no first name after 6 months, the parents can be fined. That is the only real punishment, but not the only consequence of letting the deadline slide. If the surname is missing, the child automatically takes the mother's surname, and that registration stands until you actively have it changed. And a first name that is not on the approved list must first be assessed against the three requirements — genuine, not unsuitable, not offensive — and if it is rejected, you must still find another within the same 6 months.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Can I give my child any name I want?
Mostly, but the first name must be on the list of approved names published by the Family Law House. The child must have both a first name and a surname within 6 months of birth.
When must the child have a name?
Within 6 months of birth the child must have both a first name and a surname. If there is no first name by the deadline the parents can be fined, and if the surname is missing the child takes the mother's.
Can I give my son a girl's name?
No. A boy cannot be given a girl's name, and a girl cannot be given a boy's name — only unisex names cross over. That holds even if the name is otherwise on the list of approved first names.
What if the name is not approved?
A new name is assessed against three requirements: it must be a genuine first name, not unsuitable and not offensive. If it is rejected you must still find another within the 6 months, so it pays to apply early.
What happens if I do not name in time?
If the child has no first name after 6 months, you can be fined. If the surname is missing, the child automatically takes the mother's surname, and that registration stands until you actively have it changed.
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