The Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) has reportedly registered six newborns with the first name Jihad since 2021, despite the agency's own policy advising against the name. According to reports from Swedish media outlets Aftonbladet and Sydsvenskan, Skatteverket's legal department determined in 2019 that the name Jihad could cause discomfort for a child because the word is often associated with violent extremism in media reporting. Agency representatives reportedly suggested that the registration of six children with this name despite the policy may be due to human error or the 'human factor' in processing applications.
The name Jihad, which originally means 'struggle' or 'striving' in Arabic, is common in the Middle East and can be used by both Muslims and Christians. The reports indicate that while Skatteverket believes newborns should not be given the name Jihad, the agency has nevertheless registered six children with this name over the past five years.