A reader asked whether Switzerland has particularly strict laws on naming children compared to other countries. The answer: it’s complicated. Switzerland has a reputation for rules and precision, but when it comes to naming children, the reality is more nuanced than popular belief might suggest. A reader got in touch asking: “I heard that Switzerland is much stricter than other countries when it comes to naming children – that parents can’t just choose any name they like. Is that true?” Addressing readers’ questions about rumours in Switzerland This article is in response to a question from a Swissinfo user, who asked if it is true that Switzerland has particularly strict laws on naming children. If you have a question or have heard a rumour about Switzerland that you’d like us to fact-check, get in touch here. This assertion is frequently raised in discussions on social media, often in contrast to countries such as the United States, where in some states parents have wide latitude ...