Decision of the District Court of The Hague dated November 18, 2020
The applicant experiences daily inconvenience from his first name, Josh.* This is because the applicant is Muslim, and he feels that he is being excluded from his community due to his first name. He would like to adopt a name that gives him a stronger connection to the Islamic faith. Therefore, he has chosen the first name Hatim.
The applicant also wishes to use the intended name change to bring closure to a part of his life and make a fresh start. He particularly struggles with his first name. Additionally, the applicant’s second name is misspelled, as it should have been written differently. The applicant has been bullied in the past because of the misspelling of his second name. Through the requested name change, he feels a stronger connection to his religious community and no longer has to feel uncomfortable with his first name.
To support the request, the applicant obtained a statement from a behavioral expert who accompanied him. This statement endorsed the request for a name change based on the grounds mentioned above. Considering the applicant’s motivation, the court granted the request. The case was handled entirely in writing, meaning there was no oral hearing.
- The real first name is fictionalized.
