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Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
23 baby names banned around the world, from Nutella to King
In some countries parents have to choose from a list of approved baby names while others ban names such as Lucifer, Saint, Facebook and Tom. You might think choosing a baby name is down to the parents, but there are some monikers you can't give to a newborn, depending on where you live. Earlier this year, New Zealand, which has strict naming laws, released a list of all the baby names officials rejected in 2024. Many of the names were linked to royalty, with King, Prince and Princess noted as the top three most rejected name choices. Crown, Pryncess, Royal and Emperor were also among the names turned down. Other names parents were banned from using included Saint, Fanny, Ice and Messiah. In total, there were 71 instances of a name being declined. By law, names in the country must not be offensive, resemble a title or rank, include numbers or symbols, or be unreasonably long. This isn't the only example of baby names being banned around the world. Hungary and Iceland are just two of a number of countries where parents have to choose their baby names from an approved list. If they want to give their child a more unique name, they must put in a request and wait to see if it's approved. In other countries, there are laws around names using traditional spellings. In fact, various baby names have been banned around the world for a whole host of reasons. Here are some of them. Banned baby names Metallica Maybe these Swedish parents were huge fans, but when they tried to give their daughter an ode to their favourite heavy metal band in 2007, officials outlawed it, deeming it inappropriate. However, after public outcry, authorities withdrew their objections. Tom If you're considering having a baby in Portugal, there is a list of approved names to choose from. Nicknames are not allowed as a full, formal name – so Tomás is okay, but Tom isn't. Nutella In 2015, a court in Valenciennes, France, decided that a couple would not be allowed to name their daughter Nutella. The judge ruled it wouldn't be in the child's best interest to be named after a chocolate spread. Facebook In today's internet-obsessed society, it's only a matter of time before someone tries to name their child after a social media site. The state of Sonora in Mexico banned parents from naming their baby Facebook in 2014 because it is 'derogatory, pejorative, discriminatory or lacking in meaning". The same state has also banned the names Robocop, James Bond, Circumcision, Traffic and Lady Di. @ Before you roll your eyes, the meaning behind this is quite sweet. In China, the @ symbol is pronounced 'ai-ta' and means 'love him'. Still, when parents tried to name their child this in 2007, authorities didn't think it was appropriate. However, it wasn't revealed if the name was eventually allowed or not. Ikea Parents in Sweden wanting to name their children after the country's Scandinavian-inspired superstore could fall foul of the country's naming law, enacted in 1982. J Turns out Swiss naming authorities aren't keen on initials as first names. When parents tried to pay tribute to two grandparents, Johanna and Josef, with the name J, the court in Switzerland suggested Jo instead. Gesher Back in 1998, Norwegian authorities jailed a woman for two days when she failed to pay a fine for giving her son an "unapproved" name – Gesher, which is Hebrew for bridge. Cyanide In 2017, a Welsh mother was banned by a high court from calling her baby daughter Cyanide (her twin brother was named Preacher). Despite her arguments that Cyanide was a "lovely, pretty name", the court ruled that the "unusual" choice might harm the child growing up. Saint The moniker that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West chose for their son may have been fine in the US, but, in New Zealand, where you can't give your kids names that resemble official titles, it's not. In 2024, one set of parents had this name rejected by the naming officials within the government. Daemon A French couple, in 2012, were keen to name their child after the character of Damon from The Vampire Diaries. They added an 'e' to make it sound more French, but authorities banned it for sounding too demonic. However, the parents were allowed to keep the name after a court battle. Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii This unique moniker of Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii belonged to a nine-year-old girl from New Zealand before a judge had her renamed during a custody battle. "It makes a fool of the child," he said. Akuma In 1994, Japanese parents called, or should we say tried to call, their son Akuma, which means devil. The authorities decided this was an abuse of the parents' rights to decide a child's name. Chow Tow AKA Smelly Head While some countries are gradually loosening their name laws, Malaysian authorities have been clamping down on unsuitable titles in recent years. Case in point: Cantonese moniker Chow Tow, which means 'Smelly Head'. Ah Chwar AKA Snake The 2006 tightening of Malaysia's naming restrictions also meant the banning of Hokkien Chinese Ah Chwar, which means 'Snake'. Peppermint Germany has certain criteria for baby name bans. Pfefferminze ("Peppermint") was rejected because it might cause ridicule. Equally, the moniker Stone was outlawed due to the fact that "a child cannot identify with it, because it is an object and not a first name". Linda In 2014, the relatively inoffensive-sounding Linda made Saudi Arabia's banned baby names list, thanks to its association with Western culture. Fañch In 2017, a French court ruled a couple could not use the moniker Fañch they'd chosen for their baby. The court in Quimper, north-west France, ruled that the new parents would not be able to use the character ñ (called a tilde) in their baby's name. Venerdi AKA Friday In 2008, a court banned an Italian couple from calling their baby boy Venerdi, which translates to Friday. But although naming a baby after the best day of the week doesn't sound that bad, the judges believed the name, taken from Robinson Crusoe, would expose the child to "mockery" and was associated with "subservience and insecurity". Fraise When a French couple attempted to name their child after a strawberry, the courts claimed that the name Fraise would incur teasing. The parents insisted that they were only trying to give their little one an original name, and eventually went with 'Fraisine' instead. Lucifer Earlier this year, The Times reported that a court in Germany had intervened when a couple tried to call their child Lucifer. Other names that have been rejected in the country include Satan, Judas and Gucci. Anus A child in Denmark was very nearly named after this particular part of the human anatomy. Unsurprisingly, the application was denied. Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116 No, we didn't just nod off on the keyboard. That is an actual name a Swedish couple tried to give their baby back in 1996. Apparently, the name is pronounced 'Albin' (yeah, we're not sure how either), and the parents chose it as a protest against Sweden's strict naming laws. Are any baby names banned in the UK? In the UK, there are no strict rules around names. In fact, more than 60,000 unique names and spellings were given to babies born in England and Wales in 2023. However, names that are racist or considered harmful to the child could be illegal and banned, according to the UK Deed Poll Office. Names could also be rejected by the registering officer if they: Are impossible to pronounce Include numbers, symbols or punctuation marks like exclamation points (hyphens and apostrophes are fine) Are considered offensive, vulgar or blasphemous Infer the child has a rank or title, like Doctor or Lord Read more about baby names: 9 baby names no one else in your child's class is likely to have (Yahoo Life UK, 7-min read) I had some baby name regret, after choosing my daughter's name in a rush (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read) 36 baby names inspired by food, from Margherita to Clementine (Yahoo Life UK, 9-min read) Solve the daily Crossword
NZ Herald
18-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Gail Pope: Robert Louis Stevenson's Samoan home shot by Hawke's Bay photographer
On the voyage, the Waikare stopped at several islands including Tonga, Fiji, Rotuma, Samoa, Niue, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Russell, a prolific photographer, took many images of the islands they visited, amongst which was this photograph of Vailima, the residence of celebrated Scottish author, Robert Louis Stevenson and his wife Fanny. Robert wrote masterpieces such as Treasure Island (1881), Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886) and Kidnapped (1886). Born in Edinburgh and suffering throughout his life from the effects of tuberculosis, he was an avid 'wanderer on the face of the earth, seeking the will of the wisp health with scant success'. Robert along with his wife Fanny, cruised the Pacific on board the schooner Equador, arriving in Samoa on December 7, 1889. They were met by American trader and friend, Harry Moors, with whom they stayed for a couple of days until moving into rental accommodation. The couple chose Samoa to build their home, primarily because of the temperate climate, which helped ease the tuberculosis symptoms from which Robert constantly suffered. The archipelago also had a regular mail service, essential for connections with the author's agents, editors, and publishers. On January 10 1890, Robert purchased the Vailima estate of approximately 128 hectares. It was named Vailima, 'five waters', due to five streams crossing the property. In April 1890 they moved into their new home, along with Fanny's son Lloyd and Robert's widowed mother Margaret. Their home, named Vailima after the estate, was at the base of Mt Vaea overlooking Apia on Upolu Island and stood in the middle of a green plateau, which sloped gently toward the sea. Constructed entirely from wood, some imported from California, the two-storey house was low and rambling, the exterior painted a subdued colour with a glaring red iron roof. The homestead comprised five bedrooms, all of which were on the upper floor fronting the verandah, while on the lower floor was a library, combined dining and sitting room, a ballroom which could accommodate 100 dancers with accompanying piano, a kitchen, smoking room and an infirmary. Throughout the house, the darkness of beautifully polished wood, was softened by large windows and French doors, which let in Samoa's light and warmth. To remind Robert of his native Scotland, two fireplaces were installed - both of which were never lit. The couple had separate bedrooms as Robert, a restless sleeper, would get up and write at his desk all hours of the night and did not wish to disturb Fanny. Their beds were placed on either side of a shared wall, through which Robert built a hatch, so they could converse together while in bed. Vailima was a warm, inviting home in which visitors were always welcomed and entertained. In December 1893, a reporter described his visit under the title 'The novelist at Home'. In depth he aptly described Robert's physical appearance as being 'a little above medium in height but woefully thin and pale' whose face was 'gaunt and haggard' wearing an expression of 'continual weariness'. From the description, it was obvious Robert was extremely ill but regardless, was 'good-natured' with 'a dim suspicion of a smile in the depths of his big black eyes' as he extended his 'long, thin, cool, patrician hand' to greet the visitor. The two sat opposite, Robert viewing the 'ceiling in a retrospective manner' while holding a homemade cigarette in his right hand. On a small table stood a can of tobacco from which the author rolled a fresh cigarette as soon as the last was discarded. Robert was dressed in a 'tight-fitting sleeveless undershirt, cut décolleté', with black trousers rolled 'halfway to the knees'. The author's feet were bare so that the reporter could 'plainly see his ingrowing toenail' while his right foot, which rested across his left knee, was 'symmetrical, long and slender and beautifully arched, but not overclean'. As the two conversed, Robert 'gently toyed among his shapely toes with his disengaged hand'. He concluded by stating the Vailima was 'an ideal spot for the dreamer [Robert] and a home for the poet and student of nature [Fanny].' Robert became a trusted friend, firm advocate and political adviser in Samoa, so much so he was gifted the name Tusitala, teller of tales. During the four years he lived at Vailima, drawing inspiration from life in the Pacific, Robert wrote several books including 'The Beach of Falesá' (1892) and 'The Ebb-Tide' (1894), before passing away December 1894 from a cerebral haemorrhage. Both Samoan and European officials carried Robert's body up the steep 'Road of Loving Hearts' to be buried on a clearing just below the summit of Mt Vaea, overlooking his beloved Vailima. 'I love Samoa and her people. I love the land, I have chosen it to be my home while I live, and my grave after I am dead.' - Robert Louis Stevenson.
Business Wire
30-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Huron's John Tiscornia and Fanny Ip Recognized as Top Consultants
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global professional services firm Huron (NASDAQ: HURN) today announced that Consulting Magazine has named John Tiscornia and Fanny Ip and Top Consultants in 2025. John received the esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award and Fanny Ip was honored as a Technology Innovator for her client excellence in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. 'John and Fanny exemplify the values, leadership principles, and expertise that define Huron,' said Mark Hussey, chief executive officer and president of Huron. 'John is a dedicated leader with decades of selfless mentorship and impact on the consulting profession, and Fanny's vision, along with her technical experience, is driving transformative change for our clients. I congratulate John and Fanny on these well-deserved recognitions.' John Tiscornia received the Lifetime Achievement Award, one of Consulting Magazine's highest honors. Throughout his extraordinary career, John has worked with healthcare organizations to address their most complex financial and operational challenges. With a career spanning several decades, John is widely respected for his integrity, insight, mentorship, and commitment to client excellence. His impact can be seen in both Huron's continued success and in the many careers he has helped shape along the way. Fanny Ip was recognized as a Technology Innovator. Fanny is a forward-thinking technology leader who brings more than 20 years of experience helping organizations unlock value through automation, artificial intelligence, and business transformation. She has led complex technology initiatives across industries, enabling clients to improve operational efficiency and drive impactful, future-ready strategies. Fanny's ability to turn innovation into action has earned her recognition as a trusted advisor and thought leader in the evolving digital landscape. The annual Top Consultants awards celebrate professionals who drive exceptional results for clients and advance the consulting industry through innovation, leadership, and transformational impact. John and Fanny were honored during the Top Consultants awards event on June 26, 2025. See the full list of honorees here. ABOUT HURON Huron is a global professional services firm that collaborates with clients to put possible into practice by creating sound strategies, optimizing operations, accelerating digital transformation, and empowering businesses and their people to own their future. By embracing diverse perspectives, encouraging new ideas and challenging the status quo, we create sustainable results for the organizations we serve. Learn more at
Boston Globe
17-06-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Details of a 250-year-old R.I. home's ties to slavery were uncovered last year. Now its future lies in its past.
And last year, the beginning of a newly detailed chapter from the long history of what is now known as the 'Shakespeare's Head' building also began with words — exactly three in blurry font, written in 1930s paperwork: 'Probable slave pits.' Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up Related : Advertisement The Providence Preservation Society, which owned the building, found those words, prompting the organization to halt plans to sell the College Hill building last year, and instead commission research about the property's history with slavery, including the lives of three slaves who worked at the home. 'Once we started to uncover [the history], there was a feeling of, almost like a very deep feeling of responsibility about the sale, not just, you know, finding a buyer who understood how to steward a historic property, but finding a buyer who was going to be a steward of these histories,' Marisa Angell Brown, the society's executive director, said. Advertisement Now that work is at the forefront of the property's future. The An announcement of the sale said the Center for Reflective History 'views storytelling as a powerful act of restitution — restoring agency to those once omitted from the historical record.' 'Civis is really interested in understanding the experience of the other — having people really ... raise awareness and understanding about other people's experiences, and use that to help inform an idea about how we relate both to current society, but how we can all take responsibility for a shared future,' Stephanie Fortunato, project manager for the center, said in a recent interview. The initiative comes as This year, President Donald Trump has vowed to push back on what his administration deems revisionist history. In March, Trump signed an Advertisement A sign outside the 'Shakespeare Head' building in Providence. Christopher Gavin/Globe Staff The Civis Foundation, which operates in other cities around the country, has been backing projects that provide people the opportunity to 'respond to the current moment certainly, but they're also providing funding … for new knowledge and new ideas to, I think, enter into the conversation,' Fortunato said. Traci Picard is the public historian who was brought in by the preservation society to take a deeper look at the house's connection to slavery. Picard eventually learned two Black women were enslaved at the house for nearly 20 years: A woman named Ingow and her daughter, Fanny. Both were released from slavery in 1789, although Fanny remained at the site as an indentured servant until she turned 18 years old. Primus King, a man enslaved by Benjamin King, of Newport, also worked in the house during the time around the Revolutionary War. 'People have said about John Carter, he was an abolitionist. I found no evidence of this,' Picard said. Related : Carter printed at least one abolitionist essay, but also a 'huge amount' of advertisements for slaves available for purchase, Picard said. 'The bread and butter of the Providence Gazette isn't just people, but it's cotton, sugar, shipping — the whole business of slavery,' Picard said. 'The whole newspaper just reflects slavery from top to bottom,' she added. This 1772 house on Meeting Street in Providence, R.I., was recently sold to the new Center for Reflective History. Christopher Gavin/Globe Staff As immigrants poured into Providence in the 1800s, the home took on a different life: It became a boarding house for laborers and the working class. The building housed as many as 25 tenants at a time inside its walls. Advertisement Brown said she is looking forward to seeing what the Civis Foundation does with the property. 'I think it'll be a really important place in the city, in the state, in New England, for continuing to really reckon with these histories,' she said. Fortunato said the property will be named 'Primus House.' The Center for Reflective History intends to spend this year 'doing a deep dive on the research' — which Picard will continue — and creating plans, before beginning some public programs next year. Possibilities include walking tours and hosting discussions, with more to come in 2027. Programs 'will bring the experiences of the buildings' diverse occupants to life in ways that contextualize and reflect the relationships to labor, immigration, gender, class, housing, financial institutions, and economic hardship,' according to a press release. The center will also 'invite interdisciplinary scholars, artists, cultural practitioners, and thought leaders to create new work that illuminates the lives and experiences of people connected to the site and to inspire meaningful social transformation.' 'It is really our intent to use that research to help inform our conversations about the systems today, and also to help shape people's own relationship and stewardship going forward,' Fortunato said. The 'Shakespeare Head' building in Providence, R.I. was recently sold. Christopher Gavin/Globe Staff Christopher Gavin can be reached at
New York Post
16-05-2025
- General
- New York Post
These popular US baby names are surprisingly banned in this country
It's a name fit for a king — unless you're a Kiwi. New Zealand just released its most recent list of banned baby names, with King topping the list of monikers outlawed in the country, per CNN. It's perfectly legal in the US, where more than 1,000 babies were given the name King in 2024, according to the Social Security Administration. All 11 New Zealand parents who applied to call their newborn King were asked to give it a second thought, John Crawford-Smith, Principal Advisor of the Department of Internal Affairs in New Zealand, revealed. 'We continue to urge parents to think carefully about names,' Crawford-Smith told CNN. 'Names are a gift.' In 2024, more than 1,000 children in America were named King. nataliaderiabina – Meanwhile, Prince ranked second in the latest list of banned names in New Zealand with 10 rejected applications, followed by Princess with four — a royal pain for some hopeful parents. Other royal-related names that are forbidden in the country — which regulates baby names under a strict registration law — include Duke, Emperor, Majesty, Queen and Crown. Names like Kingi, Kingz, Prinz, Prynce, and Royallty were also banned. Crawford-Smith said that New Zealand registered 60,000 births last year and 38 proposed names were rejected. New Zealand just released its latest list of banned baby names. Reddit/r/tragedeigh Under the country's registration law, baby names cannot be offensive, unreasonably long, include numbers and symbols, and must not resemble official titles or ranks 'without adequate justification,' the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 2021 proclaims. However, parents are given the chance to explain their reasoning behind the name choice before the Registrar General makes their final decision. New Zealand is part of the British Commonwealth and calls King Charles III its King — though it's unclear if the parents hoping to give their children a regal name meant it as a tribute to him. Other names such as Sativa and Indica, strains of cannabis, were rejected, perhaps due to community perceptions of the potential names. Fanny — which was once a popular name — was also banned.
