When you are born, you are given at least two names; a surname and a first name. This is good because if no one had a name, the world would be chaotic, not to mention the fact that it would be a lengthy process to identify each individual.

It is no wonder that the Rwandan Government in article 38 of the Civil Code Book 1 (the law governing persons and family) reemphasises the need for naming children. It states: "Every child is entitled to have a name.”

To keep your identity unique, article 39 of the Civil Code Book 1 further states that a child shall not be given all the names of his/her father, mother or siblings.

And not only does the Government want you to have a unique name, it also wants you to have a good name. For this reason, article 39 further states that the name should not be against public order and good morals or person’s moral integrity.

In case your name falls under the abovementioned category, the civil registrar shall advise the one declaring birth (your parents in this case) to choose another name.

If your parent, for reasons best known to him/her, insists on calling you that name, the civil status register shall register the name he/she is told and the person who is given the name (you) may apply for the change of the name in accordance with the law.

Therefore if by your judgment, you have a bad name, you may take legal action to change it by making an application to the minister of justice.

By definition, and according to article 41 of the Civil Code Book 1, a bad name falls under the following categories; a name that is against honor and moral integrity of the holder; a name that has a negative connotation; a name that undermines good morals and moral integrity of people; when the name is used by another person such that it may infringe upon his/her honour or may cause injury to his/her property.

Examples of bad names were not given for fear of offending respective name-holders. Moreover, a name cannot always have a universally acceptable meaning. Your name could mean one thing in Kinyarwanda and a different thing in another language. Think about it before you make fun of another person’s name.