When it comes to naming a child, the freedom to choose seems boundless. Yet, just as driving, hunting, and even having a garage sale require licenses, some names are so outlandish or offensive that governments around the world have stepped in to prevent their use. Below, we explore 50 baby names that have faced rejection from authorities, showcasing the limits of parental creativity.
- Martian (England)
- Smelly Head (Malaysia)
- Rogue (England)
- Monkey (Denmark)
- Devil (England)
- Dickhead (Australia)
- LOL (Australia)
- Batman (Australia)
- Ikea (Australia)
- Snort (Australia)
- Circumcision (Australia)
- Spinach (requested 3 times) (Australia)
- * (New Zealand)
- Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii (New Zealand)
- 4Real (New Zealand)
- Anal (New Zealand)
- 89 (New Zealand)
- Mafia No Fear (New Zealand)
- Cyanide (England)
- Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116 (Sweden)
- Metallica (Sweden)
- Superman (Sweden)
- Q (Sweden)
- Peniskin (requested 6 times) (Sweden)
- Terminator (Mexico)
- Rolling Stone (Mexico)
- James Bond (Mexico)
- Christmas Day (Mexico)
- Burger King (Mexico)
- Nutella (France)
- Anus (Denmark)
- Pluto (Denmark)
- Snake (Malaysia)
- Sexual Intercourse (Malaysia)
- Hunchback (Malaysia)
- Insane (Malaysia)
- Facebook (Mexico)
- Rambo (Mexico)
- Fat Boy (New Zealand)
- Robocop (Mexico)
- @ (China)
- Scrotum (Mexico)
- Fish and Chips (New Zealand)
- V8 (New Zealand)
- Bridge (Norway)
- Grammophone (Germany)
- Viagra (Russia)
- Google (Sweden) (but okay as a middle name)
- Lego (France)
- Sex Fruit (New Zealand)
Interestingly, some names have received official approval from governments worldwide. Examples include Gennah Tyles, MidnightChardonnay, Number 16 Bus Shelter, and even L’Oreal and DKNY. The naming laws differ across the United States, but generally, as long as a name contains no numbers or symbols and is under 40 characters, it’s likely to be accepted.
In other countries, however, some very common U.S. names are banned. For instance, names like Sarah and Elaine are prohibited in Saudi Arabia, while Portugal has similar restrictions on names like Catherine and Aiden.
Choosing a baby name can feel overwhelming. If you’re interested in exploring names that are still acceptable, you might want to check out our new baby names page. And for those considering their fertility journey, resources like March of Dimes provide excellent advice.
Summary: This article outlines 50 baby names that various governments have deemed unacceptable, highlighting the sometimes surprising limits of parental naming freedom. While some names are banned, others gain approval, revealing the strange world of naming regulations globally. Explore more about fertility and baby names for a smoother journey into parenthood.
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