What’s in a name? Parents get right to give babies both surnames

Parents will have the right to give their children both their surnames under new legislation submitted to parliament on Tuesday.

The dual surname will be written without a hyphen and parents will also be able to chose the order of the names.

The change in the current rules, which restrict parents to opting for either the mother or father’s name, is to ‘highlight the connection with both parents,’ justice minister Sander Dekker said.

A ministry poll in 2020 showed that 32% of parents backed having the choice.

People who already have a double barrelled name, such as Korthals Altes, will also be able to add the other parent’s surname, Dekker said.

In addition, adopted children will be able to combine their original name with that of one of their adoptive parents. A dual surname also fits better with dual nationals who may have a different surname in another country, the minister said.