Indian names can't be entered into Mexican system

Wednesday, May 2, 2007  

The parents of a Hñahñu girl in central Mexico are upset that they can't get their daughter's name officially recognized by the government.

Cesar Cruz Benitez and Marisela Rivas named their daughter Doni_Zänä, which means "flower of the world" in Hñahñu. But even though she is almost 2 years old, she has no official government documentation.

That's because Mexico's computer systems won't accept non-Spanish characters. Government officials say a "Y2K" software upgrade prevents them from giving Doni_Zänä an identification number and card.

Cruz said he will fight to get his daughter's name recognized. He said Indian families are often pressured to give their children Spanish or Spanish sounding names.

Get the Story:
Indigenous pride rising with name issue in Mexico (The Los Angeles Times 5/2)
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