[grujicd]

A friend from Montenegro, living in Germany, gave a name to his son ending in "a". At first it was rejected because in German all names ending in "a" are female. Had to bring an official paper from his embassy to prove that chosen name is in deed a male one. I think it was before 2008, as mentioned above.

[rmetzler]

"Maria" is a name which is mostly used for girls, but in Germany it can be used as a middle name for boys too. So names ending with an "a" only for girls is not a hard rule.

So yes, there are some hurdles to name your child whatever you want and I think this is good for the child. But usually these hurdles are not unconquerable.

[inglor_cz]

Nikola Tesla was a man and had both names ending in -a.