Common Danish surnames such as Jensen, Nielsen and Hansen are increasingly switched for more something more exotic as an increasing number of Danes change their last name to stand out from the crowd. <\/p>\n
Over 320,000 Danes have opted to make use of new laws that were introduced in 2006 making it easier for people change name. <\/p>\n
The popular trend of changing family names is an attempt to stand out from the crowd and express individuality, says Katrine Kehlet Norskov a PhD student specialising in Danish names at the University of Copenhagen\u2019s Department of Scandinavian Research.<\/p>\n
\u00bbThere is a tendency to want to be called something that no one else is called,\u00ab says Norskov to the Copenhagen Post.<\/p>\n
\u00bbYou are a bit more special if your name isn\u2019t Jensen or Hansen.\u00ab<\/p>\n
An estimated 50,000 people will change their surnames in 2010, according to estimates from the Department of Family Affairs.<\/p>\n
According to Norskov, however, it is unlikely that traditional Danish names will disappear completely.<\/p>\n
\u00bbI don\u2019t think we\u2019ll see names such as Jensen and Hansen disappearing, although these names could become much rarer in the future if this trend continues,\u00ab she says.<\/p>\n
luci@adm.ku.dk<\/p>\n