Interior Ministry Population Registry officials have set a limit of four names for a man who wished to add 20 names to his legal name, which was already three names. He was granted permission to add one, bringing his legal name to four names.

According to a Maariv report, the names requested including “Osher”, “Shalva”, “Noam”, “Chiyuch”, “Mekori”, “Nifla” and Miyuchad. Registry official Yoel Lavi admits there is no limit to the number of names, but only three names may appear on one’s teudat zehut identity card. The report states the citizen held out, resulting in a long argument, but finally, he settled for a total of 4 instead of 20.

One may change one’s name every seven years, but the minister of the interior has the right to veto a request if he feels it will lead to deceptive complications with the public or if the public would deem a name offensive. Two cases in which names were rejected include “God” and “Na Nah Nachman M’Uman”.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)