A fight over naming their baby caused serious problems between a husband and wife, almost leading to a divorce. The husband did not agree with the name his wife chose and skipped the naming ceremony. When they couldn’t settle the issue, they took the matter to court. The court had to step in to help resolve the dispute and bring peace.
Bengaluru: Naming a baby can be a challenging task, especially when parents disagree. This was highlighted in Karnataka, where a couple sought a divorce over a naming dispute.
The issue arose when the father, 26, chose not to attend the naming ceremony for their son, born in 2021, because he disagreed with the name suggested by his 21-year-old wife, who wanted to name him Adi.
After months of disputes, the mother sought legal separation and maintenance. Despite several suggestions from judges, the couple did not reach an agreement.
Typically, the husband would come to retrieve both mother and child, but when the then-21-year-old woman refused to accept the name her husband had chosen, he became upset and did not return to bring her home. According to Hunsur’s assistant public prosecutor, Sowmya MN, Instead, she named the child Adi, a combination of the first letter of her name and part of her husband’s name,
As months turned into years, the woman, still living with her parents, sought financial support from her husband through the local court in Hunsur, Mysuru district. Her lawyer, MR Harish, informed that the conflict escalated to the point where she was seeking a divorce.
He stated,
“She wanted maintenance money as she is a homemaker,”
The case was initially filed in a local court but was later transferred to the Lok Adalat, a people’s court that resolves disputes through mediation. Despite several suggestions from judges, the couple held firm until they finally agreed on a name proposed by the court.
The child is now named Aryavardhana, which means “of nobility,” according to Ms. Sowmya. Following this resolution, the couple exchanged garlands a traditional symbol of acceptance in India and reportedly left happily to continue their marriage.
Last September, a child in Kerala faced difficulties enrolling in school due to a blank birth certificate. Her mother approached the court, explaining that attempts to register her now four-year-old daughter were frustrated because the father, from whom she was separated, was not present. The high court then ordered the birth registration office to accept the mother’s suggested name and include the father’s name.
However, last week, a judge from the Mysore Session Court facilitated a resolution, and they ultimately decided to name their three-year-old son Aryaverdhan. The couple has since reconciled and is living together with their child.
This situation mirrors a previous case in Kerala, where the High Court intervened to name a three-year-old after her parents could not agree on a name.
In that case, the court emphasized that the mother’s suggestion, given her custody of the child, should be prioritized, but the father’s name should also be included due to the established paternity.
The court noted that the welfare of the child should be the primary concern, rather than the parents’ rights.
This case shows how important communication and compromise are in relationships. While naming a child is a very important decision, it’s crucial for both partners to respect each other’s opinions and work together. Although it was unusual for the court to step in, their involvement helped the couple avoid divorce and reminded them how important it is to stay united, especially during difficult times.
In the end, this naming dispute teaches us that even small disagreements can turn into big problems when emotions and personal beliefs are involved. The court’s intervention in this case showed that seeking professional help can be a good way to solve conflicts when they become hard to manage. This story is a reminder of how understanding, respect, and compromise are key to keeping relationships strong.