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Swedes say nej to Sofia 'Dark Knight' Englundh

Batting away Ledger fan's name plan

The powers that be have decreed that a 19-year-old Stockholm lass may not change her name to Sofia "Dark Knight" Englundh, The Local reports.

Sofia Englundh (evidently surnamed in honour of the famous drunken England footie fan chant), told the paper: "I love the film and the actors, Christian Bale and Heath Ledger. Also I don't have a middle name and thought it might be nice."

No it wouldn't, said the Swedish National Tax Agency, aka Skatteverket, which has the power to reject a name as inappropriate "if it is considered offensive, describes genitalia or is a swear word" or if it might "cause discomfort for the one using it".

In this case, however, the agency deployed a clause which states that "first names can be rejected if they resemble surnames". Accordingly, it has decided that "as there are a number of people with the surname 'Knight' already resident in Sweden it is not appropriate".

Englundh lamented: "I can understand if it is offensive, but this is just the name of a film. What's the problem?"

The Skatteverket appears to spend much of its time battling citizens over bloody silly names. Last year it pulled the plug on a girl named Elvis and in 2007 got into an almighty scrap with Michael and Karolina Tomaro over their claimed right to call their sprog Metallica.

For the record, the Tomaros eventually prevailed, while back in 2005 search engine expert Kelias Kai and missus Carol had no problem registering their infant as Oliver Google Kai. ®

Bootnote

Thanks to Mike 'The Howling III: The Marsupials' Richards for the tip-off.

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