“They said they don’t know the name, so they won’t approve it” — Nigerian woman reacts as Denmark delays approval of son’s Igbo name

A Nigerian woman living in Denmark has expressed frustration after authorities reportedly delayed approving her son’s Igbo name for nearly three months.

In a video shared online, the woman said her son’s first name, William, had been approved, but authorities rejected his second name, Ebuka, because they were unfamiliar with it.

According to her, the authorities asked the family to provide documentation showing that Ebuka was a name traditionally used by their ancestors.

She explained that Ebuka is a common Igbo name in Nigeria and a shortened form of Chukwuebuka, but said there was no formal ancestral documentation available to prove its traditional use.

The woman said the family was subsequently directed to contact the Nigerian Embassy in Sweden, after which further communication reportedly took place between the embassy and Danish authorities.

She explained that the situation had become frustrating because her son, who is approaching three months old, is still officially listed as having an unknown name in some of his records.

She also explained that Denmark has a system for approving children’s names, unlike countries where parents can freely choose virtually any name.

“Imagine a child that will be three months very soon that is yet to approve his name,” she said.

Watch video below: