There are strict rules over what you can name your newborn – but there is a way out if you change your mind
When it comes to naming your newborn the world might seem to be your oyster. Gone are the days of traditional baby names with popular modern monikers featuring regularly on birth certificates.
But while you might think you can pick whatever name you want for your child you might be in for a disappointment. Although the UK Deed Poll Office says there aren’t many rules, some names might still be forbidden.
It warns: “There aren’t many strict rules about baby names in the UK, but some names stretch the limit. Names that are racist or considered harmful to the child could be illegal and banned in some parts of the UK.”
But there are other rules which must be followed, it says. These include names that:
- are impossible to pronounce
- include numbers, symbols, or punctuation marks (not including hyphens or apostrophes)
- are considered offensive, vulgar, or blasphemous by the deed poll service
- fraudulent (inferring the child has a rank, title, or inherited honour)
And there is a strict rule surrounding the use of both a first name and surname. It says: “Names that do not include at least one first name and one surname will not be accepted.”
What if I change my mind?
Many parents might feel under pressure to name their baby which can lead to them regretting their choice down the line. But there is something that can be done if the parents act quickly enough.
According to the UK Deed Poll Office you can make a change by using a deed poll. It advises: “The first name can be changed if the birth was registered in the last 12 months. The birth must be re-registered to change a surname.
“In both cases, each person with parental responsibility must give consent to the change. The birth certificate will not be changed but will be linked to the new deed poll to provide evidence of the change.
“If you need to make a change because of a mistake made on the original register entry, you’ll need to fill out an application to update it. The original information will always be present in the register.
“However, if your application is approved, the register will also contain a note in the margin showing the corrected details and a note stating when the correction was made. Birth certificates issued after a correction will also have updated notes in the margins.”
Banned names across the globe
While there is not a banned list of names in the UK some names have previously been reported as being turned down. These include Cyanide, because of its poison link, Martian, because the child might be mocked and both King and Princess as they could be used for fraud.
However, the rules are stricter in many countries. Gloucestershire Live previously reported on rules in some places where parents are given a list of pre-approved names to choose from. To add a new name yo must apply – but there is no guarantee of approval.
Here is a list of some names which have been banned. And also which country has made the decision.
- Chief Maximus (New Zealand)
- Robocop (Mexico)
- Sex Fruit (New Zealand)
- Linda (Saudi Arabia)
- Snake (Malaysia)
- Friday (Italy)
- Islam (China)
- Sarah (Morocco)
- Osama bin Laden (Germany)
- Metallica: (Sweden)
- Prince William (France)
- Devil (Japan)
- Blue (Italy)
- Circumcision (Mexico)
- Quran (China)
- BRFXXCCXXMNPCCCCLLLMMNPRXVCLMNCKSSQLBB11116 (Sweden)
- Harriet (Iceland)
- Monkey (Denmark)
- Thor (Portugal)
- 007 (Malaysia)
- Griezmann Mbappe (France)
- Talula Does the Hula from Hawaii (New Zealand)
- Bridge (Norway)
- Anal (New Zealand)
- Nutella (France)
- Wolf (Spain)
- Tom (Portugal)
- Camilla (Iceland)
- Judas (Switzerland)
- Duke (Australia)
