Ireland

Banned babies’ names list updated in New Zealand

‘Mafia No Fear’, ‘Queen Victoria’ and ‘Christ’ among forbidden names

No ‘Juztice’ in New Zealand. A list of some of the names banned in the country. Image: Wordle

Jason Kennedy
Thu May 2 2013 - 10:27

What do 'Christ', 'Lucifer' and 'Queen Victoria' have in common? It is forbidden to name your children after them in New Zealand.

The country’s births, deaths and marriages department, a part of the Department of Internal Affairs, has extended its list of unusual names that parents have attempted to bless upon their newborns. The list now stands at 77 names.

Rules state that a baby’s name should not be offensive, should not be too long, or should not resemble an official title or rank.

The names which were rejected the most are ‘Justice’, ‘King’ and ‘Princess’, which were rejected 62, 31 and 28 times respectively.

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However, some of the more popular names in New Zealand include ‘Olivia’, ‘Sophie’ and ‘Emily’, which were the most popular girls’ names in the country last year. The most popular boys’ names were ‘Jack’, ‘Oliver’ and ‘William’.

Good news

The good news for those living in Ireland is that there is no list of banned babies’ names, but, according to a spokeswoman from the Department of Social Protection, registrars have a duty of care to customers and the general public good.

“Parents who wish to assign a name that would be considered obscene, blasphemous, or otherwise inappropriate would be advised of this by the registrar that this is the case,” she said.

“ If the parents persist, which has seldom, if ever, happened, as far as this office is aware, registrars have been advised to obtain a written statement [from the parents] that they have been advised by the registrar that the choice may be inappropriate and that the parents acknowledge that the Civil Registration Service accepts no liability for any unfortunate consequences, to the child or the parents, of the choice of forename.”

Full list of banned names:

Justice

King

Princess

Prince

Royal

Duke

Major

Bishop

Majesty

J

Lucifer

Knight

Lady

Judge

Royale

Messiah

T

I

Queen

Sir

III

Jr

E

V

Justus

Master

Constable

Queen Victoria

Regal

Emperor

Christ

Juztice

3rd

CJ

G

Roman Numerals III

General

Saint

Lord

. (full stop)

89

Eminence

M

VI

Mafia No Fear

2nd

Majesti, Rogue

4real

(star symbol)

5th

SP

C

Sargent

Honour

D

Minister

MJ

Chief

Mr

V8

President

MC

Anal

AJ

Baron

L B

H-Q

Qeen V

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