Panel: 'Dear Pineapple' OK in Dominican Republic

[May 09, 2009]  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) -- A judicial panel says Dominicans are free to name their kids "Dummy Ruiz," "Dear Pineapple" and other unusual monikers if they choose.

The Central Electoral Commission has rejected a proposal to ban any names that could be confusing or give no indication of gender, such as Querida Pina (Dear Pineapple) and Tonton Ruiz (Dummy Ruiz).

Judge Jose Angel Aquinas had called for a crackdown on unusual names after the country's civil registry showed some families were naming their offspring after cartoon characters and car brands. One family named their girl "Mazda Altagracia."

But the commission said Thursday it is not appropriate for the government to dictate what parents name their children.

[Associated Press]

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