Credit: Adobe Stock
Baby Names That Have Been Banned Around The World
There are a surprising number of baby names that have been banned in countries around the world.
Choosing a baby name is one of the most cherished tasks for expectant parents.
From poring over baby name books to being inspired by pop culture, there’s no shortage of possibilities.
But while most countries give parents a lot of freedom in naming their children, others take a stricter approach.
In fact, several names have been banned outright around the world, sometimes for reasons you might not expect.
According to experts from language learning platform Preply, names that are offensive, culturally inappropriate, or simply too bizarre have landed on forbidden lists across the globe.
One of the most puzzling examples is Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116, a name proposed by Swedish parents in protest against Sweden’s strict naming laws.
Although they claimed it was pronounced ‘Albin,’ the name was swiftly rejected by authorities in 1996 and remains banned.
Sweden has blocked other unconventional names, too.
The government refused to allow the name Metallica, despite the couple’s admiration for the heavy metal band, citing trademark issues, Parents.com reports.
Yet oddly enough, names like Gojira, Mayhem, and Opeth have passed without issue.
France, known for its linguistic pride, banned the name Fraise, meaning ‘strawberry,’ due to the crude connotation of the phrase ‘ramène ta fraise,’ which roughly translates to ‘get your butt over here.’
The country also nixed Nutella over concerns that it might subject a child to ridicule.
Surprisingly, even Linda, a common name in the West, is banned in Saudi Arabia. Authorities there deemed it ‘non-Islamic’ and culturally inappropriate in 2014.
In Malaysia, naming a child after a fruit is not allowed.
This includes celebrity-inspired names like Apple, which Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow famously gave their daughter.
Malaysian officials fear such names could bring embarrassment or undermine the dignity of a person’s identity.
Across the globe in New Zealand, creativity has its limits, too.
Officials there intervened when parents tried to name their twins Fish and Chips.
Other rejected names include S** Fruit, Yeah Detroit, and the infamous Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii.
A judge ultimately placed the latter’s nine-year-old under court guardianship so her name could be legally changed, noting the child was deeply embarrassed and refused to reveal it to her peers.
In the U.K., names like Cyanide and Rogue have been banned.
Courts argued that naming a child after a deadly poison or giving them a name associated with lawlessness could be emotionally damaging or inappropriate.
Meanwhile, Australia has blocked names like LOL and Spinach, with officials expressing concerns about potential teasing and the seriousness of legal documents.
Even in the relatively lenient U.S., there are restrictions.
Names using numerals, symbols, or punctuation – like @ or III – are typically disallowed. While most state laws are flexible, names like Santa Claus, Messiah, and Jesus Christ have faced legal challenges or bans in specific states.
Perhaps the most extreme example comes from Russia, where the name BOChrVF260602 was rejected.
The name, meant to signify ‘biological human object of the Voronin-Frolov family born on June 26, 2002,’ didn’t make it past authorities.
Related Article: Teachers Share The Kids’ Names Which They See As ‘Instant Red Flags’
Related Article: Parents Name Baby After Internet Provider In Exchange For 18-Years’ Free WiFi
Want more stuff like this?
Get the best viral stories straight into your inbox!
