The notary’s office had denied the registration; Justice recognized the choice as legitimate and underlined the religious and symbolic value of the name
A couple of Juiz de Fora (MG) had to appeal to the court. The request concerned the right to register her daughter with that name Mariana Leonechosen as a form of religious homage to Pope Leo XIV.
The baby was born on August 20. But the local registry office denied the registration, arguing that “Lion” is a word that exposes the child to ridicule. It is therefore not suitable as a female name. The reason for the refusal surprised the parents, who had chosen the name as a symbol of faith and spirituality in the Catholic Church.
Faith and symbolism behind the name
According to the mother, who preferred to remain anonymous, the name was thought to have a deep spiritual meaning: “The homage begins with the name ‘Mariana’, which means full of grace. For the Catholic Church this is the jubilee year, the year of grace. We thought of some compound names and asked ourselves: why not pay homage to Pope Leo XIV and all the others who used the same name?”he said in an interview with g1. With the support of the Court, the couple was finally able to register their daughter on October 20, when she turned two months old.
Court decision: The name “Leão” is not shameful
The case was analyzed by the Court of Inheritance, Business and Public Records of Juiz de Fora. The judge Augusto VinÃcius Fonseca e Silva concluded that there was no legal basis for the registrar’s refusal and ordered the immediate registration. In his decision, the judge highlighted important points. “The simple association of a name with an element of nature, be it flora or fauna, does not in itself make it vexatious.”
The judge also found that the name Mariana Leão has a “dignified and respectable meaning”, especially since it is a religious tribute, excluding any possibility of embarrassment. The Public Prosecutor’s Office also expressed its support for the family’s request, reiterating that the right to a name is an essential attribute of the personality and that the intervention of the registry offices should only take place in truly exceptional situations.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
