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The article explores the challenges of transgender people on changing their biological name and its psychological impacts to their social identity. Particular focus is given into the transition of actor Rebecca Root, television actor and former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner and consultant Jett Champman. It also overviews the official name-changing procedure among U.S. states.

The article focuses on France's name policy to change newly born child's surname that are considered insulting and can affect the life of the child. It states the country has high national policy concerning their citizens' names as of 1539 wherein King François I issue a decree that newlyborn children's names should also be submitted for approval to a priest along registration. It also discusses names of animals, adjectives, and Jews sounding words that are non-acceptable including ass.

Discusses the decisions of some children to change their names. Opinion of a psychologist that the practice should be discouraged early; How adults can make name-changes legal for their children in the United States; How the author's daughter Emily, altered the spelling of her name after her sister was born. INSET: Hot Seat, by Lisa McLaughlin.

The article discusses the government regulation of baby names, looking at naming laws in countries such as New Zealand, Germany, and the U.S. as well as studies on the effects of names on people. The article examines legislation which prevents parents from naming their children unusual or offensive names, names which contain letters from foreign alphabets, and names which use rare characters. Other topics include name changes, unusual names, and laws about surnames.