In Sweden, a country that values freedom of expression and open-minded thinking, it’s unusual to hear of a name being banned. Yet that’s what happened when a woman from Falköping attempted to register “Fitta” as one of her given names.
The Swedish Tax Agency — *Skatteverket* — rejected the request under the Swedish Name Act, which forbids names that might offend or cause discomfort to their bearer. The decision may seem minor, but it sparked broader reflections on culture, language, and limits.
The Rules of the Naming Game
Sweden’s Namnlag, or Name Act, defines what citizens may call themselves or their children. Over the years, the law has become more flexible:
- Couples can now more easily share or create surnames.
- Parents are permitted greater freedom in naming children.
- Creative or unconventional names are far more common.
Still, one rule persists: names must not be derogatory or risk making life difficult for the person carrying them. Skatteverket occasionally intervenes not to suppress creativity but to protect individuals from potential burdens.
A Word Too Heavy to Carry
In this case, the banned name had little ambiguity. It is an ancient Swedish word for female genitalia and considered a serious profanity in modern usage. Though linguists note that centuries ago it might have been neutral, its current meaning is highly vulgar.
The agency’s focus was clear: names are assessed by their present meaning and social interpretation, not their historical roots. Thus, even a reclamation attempt of a taboo term faced rejection.
Where Language Meets Power
This was not the first time Skatteverket denied a naming request. Rejections have included:
- Microsoft – too commercial.
- Superman – unrealistic or misleading.
- Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116 – a notorious protest name mocking bureaucracy.
These examples highlight a recurring question: who decides what’s permissible? Names hold profound personal and cultural value but also exist publicly, where language holds shared meaning. When a word risks harmful social reactions, Swedish law tends to prioritize collective protection over absolute individual freedom.
The Living Language of Names
Today’s Swedish naming culture is increasingly diverse. In preschools, one can hear names like Tyrion, Noel, and Lex, reflecting global trends and creative hybridization. Yet, certain linguistic areas remain taboo — some words, however historical or symbolic, cannot be comfortably transformed into names.
The Bigger Picture
Names are more than identifiers; they embody personal and societal values. The Falköping case, though minor, underscores the ongoing negotiation between self-expression and collective sensibility.
As language evolves, boundaries of what is nameable will continue to shift. For now, Sweden’s naming authorities maintain the line — a reminder that some words, no matter how poetic or provocative, still carry a weight too heavy to bear every day.
Source: Språktidningen (Dec. 22, 2025); Skatteverket; Swedish Name Act (2017:900); research on Swedish profanity and naming traditions.
