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Daily Record
16-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
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 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."
Daily Record
12-05-2025
- Daily Record
Banned UK baby names and six reasons why they are outlawed including 'vulgar' titles
The UK doesn't have an official list of banned baby names, but there are several rules that parents must follow Choosing a baby name is one of life's toughest decisions. Some parents may opt for traditional titles while others will go for the kooky, eccentric, and 'out there' options. But if you are the latter and live in the UK, issues could arise. While parents typically have the freedom to name their offspring whatever they like, the UK Deed Police Office details certain strict guidelines to ensure some names will never appear on a birth certificate. The objective? To shield kids from possible harm, mockery, or confusion - and to ensure official documents remain clear and uniform. So, which monikers are actually off-limits? There's no published roster of prohibited names in the UK. However, that doesn't imply an absence of regulations, reports the Mirror. As per the UK Deed Poll Office, names could be declined for several reasons: Containing profanity or vulgar terms. Incorporating symbols, digits, or punctuations. Being excessively lengthy or tricky to articulate. Having the potential to deceive, such as rank labels like "King" or professional titles like "Doctor". Being judged unsuitable or in conflict with public norms. In essence, anything that might subject a kid to ridicule, teasing, or mistaken identity could be vetoed. Examples of names that got red-flagged - "Cyanide" – Prohibited because of its toxic associations. - "Martian" – Axed over possible ridicule. - "King" – Disallowed due to its semblance to a titled role. - "Princess" – Also prevented for projecting a deceptive image. The UK Deed Poll Office website 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." A UK baby name drama emerged involving the names 'Cyanide,' as mentioned above, and 'Preacher'. The high-profile incident saw a mother try to name her twins 'Cyanide' and 'Preacher,' sparking huge debate among Brits. Eventually, the courts approved the name "Preacher" but barred the use of "Cyanide". The UK Deed Poll Office commented that Cyanide was deemed not suitable due to its strong association with poison and potential harm to the child's welfare. It comes amid a crackdown on controversial baby names worldwide. The UK is monitoring baby naming choices closely, and it is not alone. Countries such as New Zealand, Germany, and Iceland have also established regulations. New Zealand has put a stop to names like "Lucifer, "4Real," and "Anal". Similarly, Germany has specifically forbidden names like "Adolf Hitler" and "Osama Bin Laden." Should the General Register Office or a local registrar reject a given name in the UK, parents are required to settle on an alternative option. No birth certificates or passports are issued until an acceptable name is finalised. Parents are urged to heed the warning from the UK Deed Poll Office as names that fall foul of these standards can still face legal challenges after registration if they're found to compromise the child's well-being. To ensure that baby names are within legal boundaries, the UK Deed Poll Office recommends that parents follow certain guidelines: Refrain from using offensive or rude language. Exclude symbols or numbers. Opt for names that are short and simple to spell. Stay away from official titles such as "Lord" or "Sir". While the UK is quite permissive regarding baby names, there are still certain restrictions. These rules aim to protect children from potential harm and prevent confusion in official records, according to the Deed Poll Office. The Deed Poll Office also provides an array of resources and support for families needing assistance in choosing a suitable name. So, before you decide on a distinctive name for your new-born, check its legality, or find yourself in a sticky situation. 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'.
