Choosing a name for your newborn is one of the most significant decisions new parents make. While modern trends have moved far beyond traditional choices, the freedom to pick any name is not absolute in the United Kingdom. There are specific legal guidelines that can render a name unacceptable for a child's birth certificate.
What Names Are Banned in the UK?
According to the UK Deed Poll Office, there are not many strict rules governing baby names. However, certain names can stretch the limit and be deemed illegal, particularly if they are considered racist or harmful to the child's welfare. Beyond this, several clear regulations must be followed.
Names that will not be accepted include those that are impossible to pronounce or that incorporate numbers, symbols, or punctuation marks—with the exception of hyphens and apostrophes. Furthermore, names considered offensive, vulgar, or blasphemous by the deed poll service are prohibited.
A crucial rule involves titles and fraud. Names that are fraudulent by inferring the child has a rank, title, or inherited honour, such as 'King' or 'Princess', can be rejected. Perhaps most fundamentally, a registration must include at least one first name and one surname; submissions lacking this will not be accepted.
How to Change Your Baby's Name
Feeling pressure, some parents later regret their initial choice. Fortunately, there is a process for change if action is taken swiftly. The UK Deed Poll Office states that a first name can be altered if the birth was registered within the last 12 months. To change a surname, the birth must be re-registered.
In both scenarios, each person with parental responsibility must consent to the change. The original birth certificate is not destroyed but is instead linked to the new deed poll document as evidence of the change. If a mistake was made on the original register entry, an application to correct it can be submitted.
Upon approval, the original information remains in the register, but a note is added in the margin showing the corrected details and the date of the change. Any new birth certificates issued thereafter will include this updated marginal note.
Banned Names in the UK and Worldwide
While the UK does not maintain an official banned list, certain names have reportedly been turned down by registrars. These include 'Cyanide' due to its association with poison, 'Martian' over concerns the child might be mocked, and the aforementioned 'King' and 'Princess' for potential fraud.
Globally, rules are often far stricter. Many countries provide parents with a pre-approved list of names, requiring a formal application to use anything new. A list of names banned elsewhere highlights the vast cultural differences in naming laws:
- 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)
Ultimately, while British parents enjoy considerable freedom, the key is to select a name that is meaningful, respectful, and within the legal framework designed to protect the child's future.
