Ahhh... HELP!!! (with names)

February 9, 2011 4:21am CST
Right before I go to authorities and what not could anyone here help??!! (please say yes!!) As many of you know my oldest daughter is called Angel. I want her to have a dual nationality, English and Portuguese. The reason for this is I'm English and my husband is Portuguese. Well I have recently discovered that Angel is a banned name in Portugal?! Does this mean she wont be able to get a dual nationality? Will I have to change her name? Does this apply because we live in England? I am so confused by all this and could really do with some advice!! If anyone knows all help will be recived gratefully and may help me understand what I'm to do!! Thanks in advance!
4 responses
Just an Ordinary Owl?
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
9 Feb 11
I think that this (very silly) ruling only applies if you have your child baptised and/or the birth registered in Portugal. I cannot imagine that any authority could deny dual nationality (which she is automatically entitled to if her father is Portuguese) based on a name. The list of 'forbidden' and allowed names is here: http://www.irn.mj.pt/IRN/sections/irn/a_registral/registos-centrais/docs-da-nacionalidade/vocabulos-admitidos-e/ and I notice that, though Angel is forbidden, Angelo is allowed and there is no mention of Angela. You can also use Angelica (meaning 'like an angel' but also the name of a plant). Somewhere on that site, too, must be the way in which these restrictions are applied and whether they can legally prevent you from claiming Portuguese nationality if your name has a 'Nao' against it on the list.
1 person likes this
Just an Ordinary Owl?
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
9 Feb 11
Wikipedia says: "If one of the Parents is not Portuguese or has double citizenship, foreign names are allowed, as long as the parents present a document proving the requested name is allowed in their country of origin. In the past, immigrant children who were born abroad were required to adopt a Portuguese name in order to become Portuguese citizens - an example is tennis player Michelle de Brito, whose legal name is Micaela. This practise no longer applies." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_names
Just an Ordinary Owl?
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
9 Feb 11
In spite of what Wikipedia says, it would be worth checking with the Portuguese authorities (and why would you have to pay for that? Just a letter, email or phone call to the Portuguese Embassy or one of the places listed here: http://www.irn.mj.pt/IRN/sections/irn/contactos should give you the information you need.) I agree with you about the difference between 'Angel', 'Angela' and 'Angelica'. I suppose that, if she HAD to, she could call herself 'Ana' or even 'Ana Gail' or 'Ana Gaela' in Portugal, although those are quite different names! I fail to see why 'Angel' is not allowed when 'Gabriel', 'Gabriela' and other names of angels are. In fact, the whole list seems to have no logic to it at all.
angelsmummy
@angelsmummy (1696)
•
9 Feb 11
I think its silly too! I wish |I wouldve known about it 3 years ago when we decided on her name! Ive got that list but thanks so much anyway! Angelo is her dads name hence why we called her Angel. Like a female version neither of us liked Angela. Now Angelica I like but my husband doesnt I've searched everywhere to find out! MyLot was my last resort before I pay for advice! Thanks so much! You have made me feel alot more confident and thanks for actually reading my discussion and giving me a proper answer!!
mcatasthrope
@mcatasthrope (46)
• Indonesia
9 Feb 11
just do what do you think is better,don't get confused with a little thing like this whatever his name, he still get a dual nationality
Just an Ordinary Owl?
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
9 Feb 11
He? We are talking about a daughter here! Did you read the discussion?
1 person likes this
angelsmummy
@angelsmummy (1696)
•
9 Feb 11
Yes but Im worried about weather the authorities will allow it as Angel is a banned named in Portugal. Thanks owlwings!
dorannmwin
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
11 Feb 11
I first have to say that I absolutely love your daughter's name. I actually used the same name for my daughter that I lost during pregnancy. That said, why is it a banned name in Portugal? I would think that because of the fact that is her given name it shouldn't be a problem for her to get dual citizenship. However, it could be that whenever she is in Portugal that she might have to use her middle name or something like that so that she isn't using a banned name.
angelsmummy
@angelsmummy (1696)
•
12 Feb 11
Thanks I think its beautiful and suits her too which is a bonus. Aww Im so sorry you lost your baby! I have no idea theres a long list that I happened to come across. Her middle name is Leah and it doesnt seem to be a banned name so thats a possibility. Im going to try and phone the embassy and what not today as I need to get her passport. Thanks for your response.
suguwillu
@suguwillu (113)
•
9 Feb 11
Hi angelsmummy, I am so exited about the name. the name so good. you better be as you are now. dont get confused. if the name you have chosen is the will of God then no one can change it. if not it will happen automatically. better be quit and enjoy the baby... happy my lot
angelsmummy
@angelsmummy (1696)
•
9 Feb 11
I love her name. My youngests name is Okay as hers is Carla which is a Portuguese name. What Im worried about is her applictaion for a dual nationality wont go through as the name is banned in Portugal! Thank you for getting excited about it! So many people say what a beautiful name she has and how much it suits her! Shes 2 now nearly 3 so not so much a baby anymore Thanks for your response!