New Zealand continues ban on popular UK names for intriguing reason
Several baby names have been banned in New Zealand despite their popularity on this side of the world
Every country has their own rules on baby names and what titles they will allow or disallow. Choosing a baby name is one of life's toughest decisions, with some parents driven by tradition and others by uniqueness.
While British parents typically have the freedom to name their children whatever they like, the UK Deed Police Office details certain strict guidelines to ensure some names will never appear on a birth certificate.
On the flip side, New Zealand is upholding a ban on names that are actually increasingly popular in the UK and the US - specifically because they go against the nation's stringent naming regulations.
Names with a Royal theme such as Prince, Princess, and King are favoured in several countries, including the UK. However, these violate rules laid down by the New Zealand Law Society.
These stipulate that names must be under 70 characters, devoid of non-standard symbols, and not resemble official titles.
An Official Information Act inquiry, reported by The Independent, reveals that the New Zealand government turned down applications for royal-themed names like King (11 requests), Prince (10 requests), Princess (4 requests) and the variant Pryncess (2 requests).
In contrast, in the US, according to the US Social Security Administration, King was the 266th most popular baby name in 2023, followed by Royal at 402, Prince at 364, and Princess at 919.
US courts generally interpret the Constitution as safeguarding parents' rights to name their child, resulting in a more relaxed approach to names.
Some states do enforce restrictions around certain symbols, specific names, or titles such as King and Queen.
In the UK, names like 'King' and 'Princess' could be rejected if it is believed they might mislead people.
Names may also be prohibited if they contain offensive language or obscenity, include symbols, numbers, or punctuation marks, or are excessively long or difficult to pronounce.
In the UK, there have been occasions where names such as 'King' and 'Princess' have met with rejection for official use, though many in the nation do carry these names.
The UK Deed Poll Office states: "While we don't have an official list of banned names, we assess applications on a case-by-case basis, and names that could cause a child harm or confusion will likely be rejected."
Figures from the site babycentre.co.uk indicate that amongst girl's names, Princess sits at 73rd in terms of popularity, whereas Prince is positioned at 112th for boys.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
The ONS commented: "Following Queen Elizabeth's coronation in 1953, the names Elizabeth and Philip increased in popularity in England and Wales."
It was noted, though, that "Royal names were less popular in 2023, which may be because of a variety of modern influences on baby names."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Russell Grant's horoscopes as Libra to take decisive action to break the cycle
Today's daily horoscopes for each star sign can be found below. These daily forecasts have been compiled by astrologer Russell Grant who has been reading star signs for more than 50 years. Aries (Mar 21 - Apr 20) A misunderstanding is causing tension within the home. You wish it hadn't happened but you can't erase what has already occurred. An older relative will offer to help in uniting the family and making it feel whole again. Spend some time with your closest friends this evening. Taurus (Apr 21 - May 21) Prepare for problems during your daily commute. If you're working from home, technical issues will cause delays. A disagreement with a friend or colleague will add to your frustration. Remain calm and keep telling yourself that the situation will improve. Gemini (May 22 - June 21) It won't take long for you to decide that today is not the most favourable day for you in terms of communication. Your boss will express some disappointment regarding how you utilise your free time. If you find yourself in disagreement with a supervisor, it will be because they think they are always right. Cancer (June 22 - July 23) It's difficult to ignore sweet cravings. Opt for fruit as a healthy alternative. Keep reminding yourself that adding a little exercise into your daily schedule is essential and it will make you feel good too. Also, a positive mindset can benefit your overall health. Leo (July 24 - Aug 23) You need to make a choice about how to use an unexpected gain or financial windfall. Should you settle your debts or treat yourself to something you have longed for, for ages? Ask for the advice of a practical friend. You might be surprised when they tell you to prioritise your own happiness for a change. Virgo (Aug 24 - Sept 23) Take some time to reflect on your life, thoughts and feelings. This will help you identify sources of stress and tension. Ignoring these, once you have worked out the problem, could impact your health. Your aim should now be to avoid stressful situations. Libra (Sept 24 - Oct 23) A relationship that is up and down is getting you down. Unless you take decisive action to break out of this cycle, things will never change. You have reached your emotional limit, you can no longer endure the uncertainty and you're ready to step away. Scorpio (Oct 24 - Nov 22) Even though you would like to have a difficult matter settled and over with, don't let anyone pressure you into agreeing to their suggestions too quickly. If someone is in a rush, their proposal will benefit them more than it will, you. Sagittarius (Nov 23 - Dec 21) You will be in your element when travelling and dealing with people from a distance. Language is not a barrier when you find some fun and workable ways to communicate with each other. You and a work colleague are on the same wavelength and a joint venture will have a happy ending. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 20) Mixing in new social circles will challenge your thinking. New experiences could lead you to places you have never been to before. A senior colleague who values your practical skills will make you an offer you will not want to refuse. Aquarius (Jan 21 - Feb 19) It's never easy when you are asked to take over another person's responsibilities and yet this seems to be the situation you are in right now. It will be important for you to demonstrate a high level of discipline in order to accomplish a task that someone else has abandoned. Pisces (Feb 20 - Mar 20) You intuitively sense some situations are changing but you aren't sure yet whether this is for the good. Around midday you might sense something isn't quite right. If you mention this to another sensitive soul, they will confirm that they too have the same feeling.
Wales Online
13 hours ago
- Wales Online
'Ambitious and bright' hiker died after falling from Welsh peak as friends watched on in horror
'Ambitious and bright' hiker died after falling from Welsh peak as friends watched on in horror Maria Eftimova died after falling nearly 65ft from Tryfan in Eryri Maria Eftimova tragically lost her life after falling from Tryfan in Eryri (Image: UGC ) An "ambitious and bright" hiker died after she tripped and fell from mountain in Eryri, an inquest heard. Witnesses at the inquest into the death Maria Eftimova recounted the tragic last moments of her life before she fell from Tryfan on February 22, 2025. One witness told the inquest that the 28-year-old fell off the rockface, flying over him as he "froze". Another witness said Ms Eftimova was in a "freefall". It is understood that the Ms Eftimova, who worked as a civil engineer, fell nearly 65 feet to her death, suffering severe head injuries. At an inquest hearing in Caernarfon, senior coroner for north west Wales, Kate Robertson concluded Ms Eftimova's death was accidental, reports North Wales Live. The inquest was told that Ms Eftimova was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, was a British Citizen who lived in St Helens, and had graduated from the University of Salford. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here Harry Jones, who was hiking with Ms Eftimova, said in a statement that he had joined a group of 20 hikers before they set off up Tryfan at 9am that day. Tributes have since been paid to the 'ambitious, bright and cherished' woman Article continues below While on the hike, Mr Jones and Ms Eftimova, along with another five hikers, split from the rest of the group attempting to take a harder route to the summit. The rest of the group chose to take an easier route for the summit. Mr Jones said: "We travelled in single file, moving from ledge to ledge, once the person in front had vacated it." Another hiker, named Neil Oakes was ahead followed by Maria, and then Mr jones at the back. Mr Jones said: "I could see on one particular ledge Maria stopped in order to get a handhold. To pull herself up. I was six feet below her, to the left. "She swung her right leg up to pull herself up. I asked 'Got it well?' and she said 'I think so'." However, Mr Jones said that he then saw Ms Eftimova "flying over me" going down the mountain side. Mr Jones added that he "completely froze". The inquest was told that the other hikers then came down, lowering Ms Eftimova to a safer ledge, and called 999. One of the fellow hikers continued to give CPR to Ms Eftimova until Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team (OVMRT) members arrived followed by a helicopter. Another fellow hiker, Neil Oakes, said in a statement he was also part of the small group which had chosen to go through the Grade 2 route. Mr Oakes was ahead of Ms Eftimova. Mr Oakes said: "I turned and saw Ms Eftimova tumbling through the air below me. She was already in freefall. I knew there was going to be an impact on the rocky outcrop below so I turned away for a split second. I was shouting 'No, no, no, no.' "When I turned back she was on the ledge below. I knew that it was serious. (Another hiker above) said 'What?" and I said 'She's gone. She's fallen'. I was in shock." Consultant histopathologist Dr Muhammad Zain Mehdi carried out a post mortem examination at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. The doctor found that Ms Eftimova sustained severe head injuries. He said in a report that there was external damage to the brain including the brain stem which led to death. Dr Mehdi concluded that Ms Eftimova died due to a laceration to the brain, caused by a fractured skull due to a fall. The coroner concluded that Ms Eftimova's death was accidental. The coroner said: "It seems that Maria was scrambling with others when she has unintentionally and unexpectedly fallen and during the course of that fall she has sustained the injuries which have sadly led to her death." The coroner described Ms Eftimova as "bright and conscientious" and extended her sincere condolences to Ms Eftimova's family, who had joined the hearing via a video link with a Bulgarian interpreter, and her friends. The inquest had been told earlier that Ms Eftimova was a civil engineer for the Costain group, while her father Rosen Eftimov had stated that she had "snowboarded intensely", had been a surfer, and marathon runner. Ms Eftimova had trained in intensive swimming, winning awards and distinctions. This year in January, she undertook a glacier climbing course in Norway and had also practiced pole dancing, her father said. Following her death, people paid loving tributes to the "ambitious, bright and cherished" woman online. A fundraiser to raise £15,000 to bring Ms Eftimova back to her family in Bulgaria was also launched, garnering £19,389 in donations. The fundraiser's organiser Victoria Critchley said on the fundraising site: "Maria was an ambitious, bright and cherished 28-year-old, whose vibrant personality, energy and aura touched and uplifted all around her. She had a passion for engineering, having studied civil engineering at the University of Salford and a love for extreme sports. Article continues below "Her biggest passion being snowboarding, which she was super excited for and looking forward to doing again on her upcoming trip to Austria. She had an insatiable thirst for life and exploring our world's beauty. Tragically, she was taken from her family far far far too soon!"
Metro
15 hours ago
- Metro
‘Holy Grail' shipwreck filled with £15,000,000,000 in treasure ‘found'
Stunning underwater photos have brought researchers one step closer to confirming the location of the 'holy grail of shipwrecks'. The San José, a Spanish ship, sunk in June 1708 after an attack by the British Royal Navy off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia. At least 200 tonnes of gold, silver, gems, jewellery and other treasures collected in Spain's South American colonies were being shipped to King Philip V to finance his war of succession against the British. Spain and Britain were fighting the War of the Spanish Succession. But the huge hoard, thought to be worth about £14.8billion ($20billion) in today's money, went down with the ship and only 11 of its 600 sailors survived. The Colombian navy claimed it found the San José wreck in 2015, but evidence of its identity was limited – but new research published this week provides the strongest evidence yet that they are correct. The study, published in the Antiquity journal, includes pictures taken by remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) examining the shipwreck which rests about 1,970ft below the surface. The high-quality images, using advanced underwater imaging and high-resolution scans of the coins, revealed the date the coins were struck. The coins, known as cobs in English and macuquinas in Spanish, feature the mark of Lima, Peru. Some are stamped with the royal symbols of Castile and León, the emblems of Spain's empire. Crucially they are dated 1707, which is the year the San José set sail. Archaeologist Daniela Vargas Ariza, of Colombia's Naval Cadet School and the National Institute of Anthropology and History, explained: Hand-struck, irregularly shaped coins served as the primary currency in the Americas for more than two centuries. 'This body of evidence substantiates the identification of the wreck as the San José Galleon. 'The finding of cobs created in 1707 at the Lima Mint points to a vessel navigating the Tierra Firme route in the early eighteenth century. 'The San José galleon is the only ship that matches these characteristics.' In 2023, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he would raise the wreckage before his time in office ends in 2026. check our news page.
