More than 7,000 children are given double names (Brussels)
7,026 children were given a double family name at birth last year. The lion’s share is still given the father’s surname.
Last year 112,237 children with Belgian nationality were born in our country, compared to more than 94,500 in 2020. Of these, 7,026 children received a double family name, compared to 6,910 the year before. By far the most children were given the father’s name: 98,014. There are also 7,197 children who were given the mother’s surname.
If we only look at Flanders, there were 58,026 births last year. 52,591 children were given the name of the father and 3,039 that of the mother. Of the 2,396 children with a double surname, there are 1,762 with the father’s surname first and 498 with the mother’s surname first. 136 children were given a family name that was a combination of that of the mother and the co-mother.
Since June 2014, parents and adopters can choose to get to know their children.
Furthermore, in 2021 there were a third more applications (a total of 1,524) for a change of the family name compared to 2020. 975 people were given an overall choice.