Germany has approved plans to relax strict restrictions on family names, allowing couples to take double-barreled surnames and pass them on to their children. The reform, set to take effect in May 2025, will allow both partners in a married couple to add each other’s name to their surname, as well as allow their children to take on this double surname. The new system will not permit names that are more than double-barreled. Additionally, the legislation will make it easier for stepchildren or children of divorced parents to change their family names, and allow the use of gender-adjusted forms of surnames for minority groups like the Sorbs and the Frisian minority.
This change is part of a series of social reform projects promised by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s socially liberal three-party governing coalition that took office in December 2021. Other reforms that have been implemented or approved include legalizing the possession of limited amounts of cannabis, easing rules on gaining German citizenship and allowing dual citizenship, ending a ban on doctors “advertising” abortion services, and making it easier for transgender, intersex, and nonbinary individuals to change their name and gender in official records. Same-sex marriage was already legalized in Germany in 2017.
The new legislation on family names in Germany will modernize and liberalize the country’s naming rules, allowing for more flexibility and inclusivity in family naming practices. By allowing both partners in a marriage to take on a double-barreled surname and pass it on to their children, the reform reflects changing societal norms and values around family naming. It also addresses specific needs of minority groups, such as the Sorbs and the Frisian minority, by allowing the use of gender-adjusted forms of surnames and traditional patronymic and matronymic names.
The reforms surrounding family names in Germany are part of a broader effort by the government to promote inclusivity, diversity, and individual rights. By enacting reforms that allow for greater flexibility in family naming practices, the government is taking steps to recognize and respect the diverse identities and backgrounds of its citizens. This aligns with the government’s overall commitment to social progress and equality, as evidenced by other recent reforms in areas such as cannabis legalization, citizenship rules, abortion rights, and gender recognition.
The new legislation on family names in Germany represents a significant step towards modernizing and liberalizing the country’s naming rules. By allowing for double-barreled surnames and incorporating the naming practices of minority groups, the reform reflects a commitment to inclusivity and diversity. It also aligns with broader social reform efforts undertaken by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government, which has focused on promoting individual rights, equality, and social progress. The changes are set to take effect in May 2025, bringing Germany’s family naming practices more in line with contemporary values and norms.
