A couple in Switzerland have named their newborn baby after an internet service provider in order to receive free WiFi for the next 18 years.
The choice was made after the father spotted an online advertisement from internet service provider 'Twifi' on Facebook, saying that they would provide the free service for 18 years should any parent call their son' Twifus' or daughter 'Twifia'. An offer that these parents thought was too good to pass up!
Speaking to Australian website kidspot.com.au, the father of little Twifia said:
"The longer I thought about it, the more unique the name became for me, and that was when the thing got its charm."
While the little girl's mother was a little more apprehensive about the idea, she eventually decided to go for it. She told the site:
"It's his child too. And for me, the name Twifia also stands for connection in this context. For an eternal bond! There are much worse names. And the more often we say 'Twifia', the heartier the name sounds!"
They added:
"We want to remain anonymous to those around us because we don't want to justify ourselves. Because the accusation of having sold our child's name hits us very hard. We are also a little ashamed."
The decision made by the parents, aged 30 and 35, to remain anonymous sounds fairly reasonable, however when others who know little Twifia hear this story their secret will surely be outed. While there is no reason to disbelieve the story, perhaps it has been agreed by the company that the parents can change the name to something a bit more usual after the avalanche of free-publicity from the story has died down. We just don't know!
Twifi is hardly the first company to encourage parents to give particular names to their babies in exchange for free products or cash. In 2018, Kentucky Fried Chicken, KFC, offered $11,000 to the first baby born on the 9th of September called 'Harland'. Harland being the first name of the legendary 'Colonel Sanders'. That very same year, 'Harland Rose' was born in Louisville and will receive the payment in the form of a college fund.
Way back in 2001, a couple also auctioned their baby's name on eBay to any company willing to pay $500,000. However, no firm was willing to take up the offer – perhaps society and big businesses were just that little bit more sensible 20 years ago!
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