Saudi man names newborn daughter 'Ivanka'

A Saudi man has named his newborn daughter Ivanka -- the name inspired from US President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka.

Salem Amer Salem Al-Ayashi Al-Anzi, residing in the city of Arar in Saudi Arabia, has raised eyebrows with the choice of name for his newly born.

The name was registered with the Health Ministry at the Women and Children Hospital in Arar. A picture of the birth certificate was widely circulated on Whatsapp in the Kingdom.

Baby Ivanka and her birth certificate. PHOTO: ARAB NEWS

Speaking to Arab News, Al-Anzi said he was told by colleagues he would not be allowed to give his daughter that name. However, he stated, the name Ivanka has no religious or moral prohibitions in Arabic or Saudi culture. The name Ivanka is of Hebrew origin and Al-Anzi was told by a colleague it meant "God is gracious". Another colleague said the name means "upmost beauty".



Al-Anzi has been nicknamed Abu-Ivanka (Father of Ivanka), after the birth of his daugher. Saudi journalist Moteeran Al-Nams, a friend of Al-Anzi told Arab News he chose the name after his friends challenged him to do it because "in our culture, we don’t step back from a challenge.”

Speaking to Washington Post, Al-Anzi said he admired the leadership of Ivanka Trump's father. He stated Donald Trump had taken revenge for the killing of "innocent children" by the Syrian government, referring to the Trump administration's decision to strike Syrian government targets after a suspected chemical attack. He also stated he was happy that President Trump was visiting the Saudi Kingdom.

Al-Anzi stated his daughter's unusual name - by local society standards - led his friends to shower his daughter with gifts and money.



The General Administration of Civil Status in the Kingdom prevents parents from choosing names that are blasphemous, names that fatwas have declared impermissible and names that are not socially valid.

In 2014, the Foreign Ministry banned 50 names that were 'inappropriate'. Foreign names such as Linda and Elaine are outlawed. Names which are affiliated to royalty have also been banned. These include Sumuw (highness), Malika (queen) and Malek (king).