Menu: Parenting
Baby Names that Will Leave You Astounded
by Jessica Collins
Updated: June 25, 2019
Originally Published: June 25, 2019
When it comes to baby names, Americans are known for their creativity (seriously, five kids were named Zzyzx last year!). Thankfully, our penchant for unique names — thanks to influences like the Kardashians — allows us to choose virtually any name we desire, provided it meets some basic guidelines. While we can’t use names like Zoë or José due to limitations in our computerized systems, the laws surrounding baby names in the U.S. are relatively flexible compared to other countries.
In many parts of the world, however, naming your child a distinctive name is a more complicated affair. Regulations differ significantly from one nation to another, leading to some surprising naming restrictions. Here are a few noteworthy international baby naming prohibitions:
- No Gender-Neutral Names Allowed.
In the United States, unisex names are on the rise, but in countries like Denmark, Portugal, Iceland, and Finland, they’re often prohibited. In 2013, an Icelandic girl named Blaer had to go to court because her name was deemed unfeminine. Fortunately, she prevailed, paving the way for more girls with the name Blaer. - If It’s Not Approved, It’s Not Happening.
In places such as Hungary, Norway, and Saudi Arabia, parents must select names from a government-approved list. While exceptions can occur, they are rare. - No Titles, Please.
In New Zealand, parents cannot name their children after any titles that imply nobility, like Duke or Justice. Similarly, Saudi Arabia forbids names like Amir (meaning prince) or Malika (meaning queen). - Characters Matter.
Countries with unique alphabets or characters refrain from allowing names that contain “foreign” letters. For instance, in China and Japan, only officially recognized characters are permitted. Icelandic names must consist solely of letters from the Icelandic alphabet, which excludes names with the letters C, Q, and W. - English Versions Are Out.
Many countries do not permit Anglicized names. For example, in Portugal, you can’t use Phillip; Filipe is acceptable. Similarly, in Hungary, Stephen isn’t allowed, but Stefán is fine. - First Names Cannot Be Surnames.
While Americans often use last names as first names — think Carter and Bailey — this practice is banned in Norway, where registered surnames cannot be used as given names. - Religious Restrictions Apply.
Countries like Saudi Arabia prohibit names that could be seen as disrespectful to their religions. For instance, you can’t name your child Malak, which means angel. In Germany, naming a child Lord is off-limits, while in Australia, Bishop and Saint are prohibited. - Spelling Counts.
In Denmark, unusual spellings can result in names being rejected, even for seemingly standard names like Ashley or Jakob.
Aside from these specific guidelines, the majority of the world aligns with the U.S. approach when it comes to naming bans — symbols, punctuation, and anything that could lead to ridicule or be deemed inappropriate are generally off-limits.
Here’s a look at some actual banned baby names from various countries:
- Saudi Arabia: Alice, Linda, Johnny, Maya
- Denmark: Monkey, Anus, Pluto
- France: Nutella, Mini Cooper, Prince William
- Norway: Elvis, Superman, Ikea, Brfxxccxxmnpcccclll mmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116 (pronounced “Albin”)
- Japan: Akuma (“devil”)
- Malaysia: Chow Tow (“smelly head”), Woti (“sexual intercourse”)
- Mexico: Facebook, Rambo, Batman, Hermione
- New Zealand: Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii, Lucifer, Sex Fruit
While it might be frustrating to have restrictions on baby names, perhaps it’s a blessing in disguise for future generations. After all, we wouldn’t want any child to be burdened with a name like Anus.
For further insights on naming and parenting, you might enjoy reading more about the home insemination process in this blog post. For those interested in at-home options, check out the Cryobaby at-home insemination kit, an excellent resource for aspiring parents, or visit Healthline for comprehensive information on IVF and its possibilities.
In summary, baby naming laws vary widely around the globe, with many countries imposing strict regulations that can leave parents stunned. From prohibiting gender-neutral names to forbidding certain spellings, the rules can be quite limiting. Ultimately, while the U.S. offers more freedom in choosing baby names, it’s interesting to see the lengths other cultures go to in preserving naming traditions.