Choosing a baby name is one of the most personal decisions parents make. But in many countries, there are actual laws about what you can and can’t name your child.
In some of these countries, these laws were made to keep names culturally appropriate as well as to avoid offensive or absurd choices. Here are some of the baby names that are banned around the world.
1. New Zealand – ‘Lucifer’ and ‘4Real’
New Zealand has some of the strictest naming laws globally. The Department of Internal Affairs can reject names that could cause offense, are excessively long, or resemble official titles.
In this country, some of the requirements for a baby name include; it must not be offensive, resemble a title or rank without adequate justification, be unreasonably long or include numbers or symbols.
Banned names include:
- Lucifer
- 4Real
- King (and Kingi, Kingz, Prinz, Prynce, Royallty)
- Queen Victoria
- Messiah
- Anal
- Justice
2. Sweden – ‘Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116’
In Sweden, the Tax Agency must approve all baby names. The law prohibits names that are offensive, resemble trademarks, or could cause discomfort. One couple famously tried naming their baby:
Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116 (pronounced “Albin”) — and were denied.
Other banned names:
- Ikea
- Allah
3. Germany – Judas, Satan, Whiskey
Germany only allows names that clearly indicate gender, are not surnames or brands, and won’t humiliate the child. Names must also be approved by the local registry office.
Banned names include:
- Osama Bin Laden
- Adolf Hitler
- Legolas
- Woodstock
- Kohl (a surname)
- Judas
- Satan
- McDonald
- Gucci
- Pain
- Vaginia
- Whiskey
- A couple once tried naming their child “@”, which was rejected.
4. Saudi Arabia – No ‘Western’ or Religious Names
In 2014, Saudi Arabia released a list of 51 banned names, saying they were either offensive to religion, too Western, or inappropriate culturally.
Some banned names:
- Linda
- Alice
- Malak (meaning “angel”)
- Binyamin (Arabic for Benjamin)
- Amir
5. Iceland – Must fit the Icelandic language
Iceland’s Naming Committee decides whether a name fits Icelandic grammar, spelling, and alphabet. Foreign names or names with letters like “c” or “z” are often rejected.
Examples of rejected names:
- Harriet
- Duncan
- Enrique
- Ludwig
- Zoe
6. Portugal – No Nicknames or Anglicized Names
In Portugal, names must align with Portuguese tradition and language. Diminutives and anglicized spellings are not allowed. All names must come from an official list.
Banned names include:
- Tom (must be Tomás)
- William
- Nirvana
- Jimmy
- Jenny
7. China – No symbols or rare characters
Chinese names must be readable by government databases, which means no emojis, rare characters, or symbols. One couple attempted to name their child “@”, claiming it represented love. The name was rejected.
8. Mexico – No ridiculous or offensive names
In the state of Sonora, Mexico, authorities created a banned names list to protect children from ridicule and bullying. The law prohibits names that are offensive, bizarre, or references to pop culture.
Examples include:
- Hermione
- Robocop
- Batman
- Terminator
- Circuncisión
Most of these names are banned in order to protect children from future humiliation or bullying, preserve language and culture, avoid confusion and prevent offensive or religiously inappropriate terms.
Did any name on this article shock you?
