Few decisions parents make will accompany their children for as long as the name they choose at birth. Unlike clothing, hairstyles or toys, a name cannot simply be replaced when fashions change. It becomes part of a person's identity, follows them through school, employment, relationships and old age, and often shapes first impressions long before they have the opportunity to speak for themselves.

Yet, in recent years, there has been a growing trend towards increasingly unusual, invented and often difficult-to-pronounce names. Some are created by combining syllables, others are inspired by social media trends or celebrities, while still others appear to have been chosen simply because no one else has them. Parents are understandably eager for their child to be unique, but uniqueness should never come at the expense of common sense.

This is not an argument against uncommon names. Many beautiful names have rich cultural, historical or family significance despite being rarely heard. Diversity in names reflects diversity in society and should be welcomed. The concern arises when names become so unconventional that they burden the very children they are meant to distinguish.

Children do not choose their names. Their parents do. With that freedom comes responsibility. Naming a child should not become an exercise in creativity for its own sake or an attempt to attract attention. It is a decision made on behalf of another human being who will have to live with its consequences for decades.

Anyone who has spent time in schools knows that children can be unkind. A highly unusual or awkward name may become an easy target for teasing or bullying. While schools must continue promoting respect and tackling bullying whenever it occurs, parents should not ignore this reality. It is unfair to dismiss concerns by arguing that the bullies are the only ones at fault. Children deserve every reasonable chance to avoid becoming targets unnecessarily.

A name can also create practical difficulties throughout life. Constantly correcting pronunciation, spelling or explaining its origin may seem insignificant in isolation, but repeated countless times over the years, these inconveniences become a burden. What appears original to proud new parents may become a lifelong source of frustration for the child.

Some countries have recognised that complete freedom in naming children is not always in the child's best interests. They impose limits by preventing names that are offensive, absurd or likely to cause embarrassment. Others maintain approved lists or require authorities to reject names that clearly undermine a child's welfare. Such measures are often criticised as state interference, yet they stem from the principle that children also have rights independent of those of their parents.

Whether Malta should introduce similar restrictions deserves thoughtful discussion. Any debate would have to strike the right balance between parental freedom and the rights of the child. Nobody is suggesting that governments should dictate every acceptable name. Equally, however, society cannot pretend that every choice is automatically responsible simply because it is made by a parent.

Perhaps legislation is unnecessary if parents themselves exercise greater restraint. Most mothers and fathers want what is best for their children. Taking a little more time to consider how a chosen name will sound in a classroom, on a job application or decades later in adulthood is hardly an unreasonable request.

Parents often say they want their child to stand out. The better way for a child to do so is through kindness, character, talent and achievement - not because they carry a name that leaves others puzzled or invites ridicule.

Naming a child is not a competition to be different. It is one of the first acts of love and responsibility that parents perform. It should be treated with the seriousness it deserves.