11 baby names that have actually been banned
Naming a real, live human being that you have either created or legally declared as your own, is an understandably sensitive issue. Especially when it comes to baby names that have been banned. I mean, think about it. Naming a new baby is personal and intimate and painstaking. You’re essentially responsible for giving someone their identity and it’s not something most take lightly. Especially, you know, the court of law.
According to Marie Claire, despite certain parents’ inventiveness, there are a few baby names that have been banned throughout the globe, believe it or not. Proving that it does, in fact, take a village to raise a child. And that village doesn’t always necessarily agree with your choices.
For instance, the magazine explains that due to a law put into place in New Zealand in 1995, “…parents were not allowed to give their child a name that implies rank, resembles official titles, causes undue [offense], and as a full name is no longer than 99 characters.” Those names include monikers such as King, Prince, Commodore, Royal, Princess, and Lord to name a few.
Check out some more of the names that are, legally, a big no-no:
Per the publication, Mexico declared this name as one of many that were either, “derogatory, pejorative, discriminatory or lacking in meaning.” Though, it can be argued that Facebook has a wealth of meaning to a lot of people.
Cyanide
The site explained that a parent in Wales wanted to name her child after the deadly poison. But, you know, the Court of Appeal thought better of it.
Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii
Apparently, the child was made a “ward of court” in New Zealand in 2008 which enabled her to change her name, says Marie Claire. Which is probably for the best. Imagine filling this out on a scantron?
Anus
As the site asserts, Denmark said a definitive “nah” to this cheeky name.
Nutella
According to The Telegraph, a French couple wanted to name their new baby Nutella, only to be stopped by a judge who argued the name would invite “mockery and disobliging remarks.”
Robocop
If you live in Mexico, you can’t name your baby “Robocop.” Sorry?
Metallica [/listhead]
According to BBC News, officials in Sweden decided the baby name “Metallica” was inappropriate.
Venerdi
In this instance, an Italian judge tried to spare a child some grief on the playground. Marie Claire explains that the name means “Friday” but the parents weren’t allowed to name their child something that would apparently subject him to “mockery” per the judge.
Chow Tow
This name was banned by the Malyasian government, according to the magazine. Why? Well, because it means “smelly head” and we’ve already learned from Big Daddy that no one wants to be known as the “smelly kid in class.”
Lucifer
This name is not unfamiliar, but that doesn’t mean New Zealand was cool with it. Because, the site explains that the department of internal affairs stopped the trend altogether.
III
Finally, an American name banning! According to Marie Claire the name (or number?) was done away with in 1984 because California’s Court of Appeals asserted that it was a “symbol.”
