Azeris may ban 'Russian-sounding' names like Maria and Michail

Azerbaijan's government-regulated Terminology Commission is drawing up plans to ban Azeri nationals from giving their children what they deem 'Russian-sounding' names.

Having been part of the Soviet Union for over 70 years, many first names and surnames - like Maria, Katerina and Michail - in Azerbaijan sound Russian even if they are not technically of Russian etymology.

Authorities say that surname endings in particular are a 'national domain' in any country.

These people spoke to BBC Azeri about what they thought of the proposed changes.