India is letting girls change their own names...

[La Bijou]

... because their names translate directly as Unwanted. Which is a really d**k move, if you ask me. I like how a popular choice is "Very Tough/Rock Hard".  

[wo_nyrmo]

I kind of like the names "Nakusa" or "Nakushi," though.. and I wouldn't of known it was translated into unwanted without being told so.


"Now in school, my classmates and friends will be calling me this new name, and that makes me very happy," said a 15-year-old girl who had been named Nakusa by a grandfather disappointed by her birth.
Of course this part totally makes changing the name worth it.  

[Undead Honey Cake]

wow, i knew that places like India favored boy children, but i didn't know it could result in things like this.

It's a small step but it makes me really happy, it shows there is a willingness to change. After all a lot of small steps can make a big difference.  

[scrub]

That article made me smile. I'm glad for them smile

Calling a child "Unwanted" seems just damn cruel, I'm not surprised it was bringing those girls down. I know I'd have been hurt if my parents told me I was unwanted or a mistake when I was a child sad  

[MissTaliszanna]

Thank you for sharing this article. I will share it with others.  

[baby_bluegirl00]

"What's in a name?" Does a name truly force someone to act as their namesake? What would happen if you named twin boys Cain and Abel?  

[ieatwood]

its so sad there would have been a tradition to name your girl-child "unwanted" but the story has such a positive ending!