Happy Birthday, 73/1970

When Heinz-Georg and Maria Treyz submitted the name of their newborn son to be officially registered in the Bavarian town of Erding (pop. 11,500), they were greeted with a mixture of perplexity and horror. In 27 years on the job, the town registrar informed them, he had never been presented with the name "Che." Even in Argentina, he noted, it is not a proper first name but translates roughly as "hey, you." Also, he added, one cannot tell whether the name refers to a boy or a girl. Acting within his powers under German law, he rejected the name.

To counter the complaint about sexual confusion, the parents gave the baby a hyphenated name, Che-Michael, and went back for another try. Still the registrar would not accept the name. Angered, the Treyzes decided that they would fight it out in the courts. Explained Heinz-Georg, an electronics technician: "I'm against ideologies. It's Che as a man, a human being, who impresses us. Someone who gave up all material comforts and devoted himself to help the poor and was willing ultimately to pay with his life."

Though a registrar in upper Bavaria recently accepted the name of Che-Christian-Faeusten Pospisil, the Treyzes have lost their battle in two lower courts. They are now appealing to higher courts, a process that may take as long as two years. Their child will be celebrating his first birthday next week, yet he is still legally nameless. Until the courts come to a final decision, Che-Michael will continue to be officially known in Erding by his registration number: 73/1970.

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