Would you consider naming your child Princess or Justice? Lucifer or Christ? Mafia No Fear or (ahem) Anal? If so, don't move to New Zealand. Those names are all included on a just-released list of names that have been banned over the last decade by the New Zealand Internal Affairs Department.
Other names that won't fly in New Zealand? Emperor, King, Bishop, Queen Victoria, Messiah, V8, 89, and the symbols * and /. Good thing Prince didn't try to move Down Under during his unpronounceable symbol phase! Though actually, come to think of it, the name Prince wouldn't pass legal muster in New Zealand, either.
Why?
Well, it turns out New Zealand has a few strict rules: For one thing, names cannot be a title that has not been earned (Princess, King, Bishop ... Prince). For another thing, they cannot be clearly offensive to the general public (ah, that's where Anal's parents when wrong). They also can't be more than 100 characters long (though I counted and the name Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii, which a New Zealand family court took action against, doesn't exceed that limit -- maybe it was deemed offensive?). Oh, and the names must be actual words, comprised of actual letters -- not numbers or symbols.
Details, details. Don't these people have any sense of humor? In fact, they may. The New Zealand Internal Affairs powers-that-be apparently let Number 16 Bus Shelter slip through, and saw nothing wrong with the monikers Benson and Hedges, Violence, or Midnight Chardonnay.
I have to admit. Number 16 Bus Shelter has a certain ring to it. Plus, it really captures the imagination. Do you suppose that's where the baby (A boy? A girl? Perhaps called "Number" for short? Or just "No."?) was conceived? (Remember how Victoria and David Beckham named their first child Brooklyn because he was conceived in New York, but they felt the name "Manhattan" was a bit too much?) It seems entirely possible.
Employing the place-of-conception technique, I might have named my first-born Costa Rica and my second Astoria. Those aren't such bad names, come to think of it -- and I don't see anything there for New Zealand to object to.
What do you think of New Zealand refusing to allow parents to name their kids Princess and Justice and ... Anal?
Image via kaatjevervoort/Flickr
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Comments 66
"And names like Good Luck, Rich, Prosperity, Wishes, as well as less nice stuff like Worthless, Lazy, and Unwanted are common in other cultures."
I know that some names were more common a long time ago and Jesus is still a common name among some Hispanic cultures. However, India just had a major name change event for girls named worthless, unwanted, etc. Just because the name is used in other cultures does not mean it is still not a horrible name to get and causes emotional harm.
Although I do not like too much government control it seems some parents need the control. my ex- DIL wanted to name her new child Lucifer but the courthouse would not do so. So I think their are list or rules in the states but not published. I was reading a paper I get in the mail that has 100 year old news. They had the same problem in Kansas back then but would not register the children with the names back then neither. The parent got their name in the paper for trying to do such a thing.
Many common names have meanings. My name is a Diminutive of Elizabeth and the Diminutive of Elizabeth: From the Hebrew Elisheba, meaning either oath of God, or God is satisfaction. Also, the lilly flower. So many names have meanings and that is all right.
imagine the humiliation a child is gonna go though in school with the name Anal!? come on Parents don't set your child up for that! -.- SMH!
JMO.
Mexico does this aswell. although they dont have a list they just banned any names that can be offensive to others and a target for bullying. there was a couple that named their child yahoo because they met on there. i think that a name should be something you are happy with not just something that get a smirk out of you
I totally understand wanting to be unique when naming your child, but seriously, some of those names are just downright stupid and mean. Anal? That's just disgusting and if you dislike your child that much, then give it up for adoption. And Number 16 Bus Shelter?!?! That's not even a name! C'mon people, think for just a moment! Geez!
I saw the names "Ima Hogg" which is another rude name to give a child and "Luv Lee" which, while cutesy, is a bit much.
Do people just not think? Or are they just that stupid/rude/mean? Maybe a little of both? And to name a child with just symbols... well, I just have no words for that. (pun intended)
I think the people of New Zealand are revolting and making up crazy names just to irk the government. Or, maybe it has been a long standing issue and the people of New Zealand are so crazy with naming their kids that the goverment felt the need to step in. Either way, it is quite comical.