50 infant names that are illegal around the earth

No matter how unusual the proper noun, chances are someone has at some point tried assigning it to a baby. Y'all take to wonder what some parents are thinking. Who looks at their little packet of joy and decides "Hashtag" would be the perfect name?

Sometimes a little inventiveness leads to lovely, unique names. Other times, thinking exterior the box has disastrous consequences. Governments around the world have taken it upon themselves to outlaw certain offensive, confusing, or downright ridiculous baby names to relieve kids everywhere from decades of embarrassment, confusion, and bullying. Still, non all laws make perfect sense—what'due south incorrect with "Linda," anyway?

We scoured hundreds of baby proper name databases and news releases to come up with 50 babe names that are illegal somewhere in the world, forth with explanations for why they're banned. Read on to notice out which half dozen-give-and-take proper noun was banned in New Zealand, which state won't allow you lot to proper name fiddling girls "Sarah," and which nation requires parents to cull names that can be conspicuously identified equally male or female.

RELATED: These infant names are going extinct

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#1. Adolf Hitler: Germany, Malaysia, Mexico, and New Zealand

Proper noun meaning: The name of the leader of Nazi Germany.

Reason for ban: It's offensive.

Several countries take forbidden futurity children from being named later on the genocidal High german dictator, but the United States isn't one of them. Here, where we're known for lax naming laws, a New Bailiwick of jersey family unit created controversy in 2008 when they ordered a birthday cake with their 3-twelvemonth-former son'southward name on it: "Adolf Hitler Campbell."

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#2. Akuma: Japan

Name pregnant: Devil.

Reason for ban: Japanese officials sought to protect a child from mockery.

When parents register newborn babies in Nippon, they must choose a name written in official Japanese characters, or kanji. While "Akuma" technically fulfills that requirement, the regime intervened in 1993 when ii parents gave the proper name to their newborn son.

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#three. All Power: Sonora, United mexican states

Proper name pregnant: Presumably, information technology means "all powerful."

Reason for ban: Children can't have more than two names.

The local government in Sonora, Mexico, prevents children from being registered with names that might exist construed as derogatory, debasing, discriminatory, or devoid of meaning—or that would expose kids to ridicule. Nosotros can only imagine the hateful rhymes the classmates of little "All Ability" would come up upwardly with.

4 / 50

#iv. Amir: Saudi Arabia

Name pregnant: Prince.

Reason for ban: Saudi Arabian citizens can't name their children annihilation that relates to royalty.

Parents looking to improve a kid's social condition past naming him or her something aloof meliorate not movement to Saudi arabia. Royal terms like Sumuw (highness), Malika (queen), and Al Mamlaka (the kingdom) are all off-limits.

five / 50

#5. Anal: New Zealand

Name meaning: Relating to the anus.

Reason for ban: It'due south obscene.

Given names in New Zealand can't be construed every bit offensive to a reasonable person, according to the country'sRegistrar ofBirths, Deaths and Marriages. "Anal" definitely fails that test.

6 / 50

#6. Anus: Denmark

Proper name meaning: A part of the body.

Reason for ban: It'south obscene.

Denmark has one of the strictest naming laws, assuasive parents to choose from a list of just vii,000 pre-approved names. If someone wants to get with something unique, he or she must get special approval from church and regime officials. Information technology's a loftier bar that names of sure body parts definitely don't pass.

7 / 50

#seven. Ashanti: Portugal

Name significant: The name of a tribe of people originally from Republic of ghana.

Reason for ban: The Portuguese government's ban on this name doesn't have anything to do with the early 2000s vocalist, just with the origin of the proper name itself. Portugal favors traditionally Portuguese names. Similar to Kingdom of denmark, parents have to choose from a vetted list.

viii / 50

#8. Bonghead: Australia

Proper noun meaning: One can simply assume it means someone with a water pipage for a noggin.

Reason for ban: It'due south offensive.

Though the state of Victoria recently released a listing of 46 banned names, Commonwealth of australia only outlaws 17 especially derogatory ones.

nine / 50

#ix. Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116: Sweden

Proper name meaning: Unclear, but the parents claimed it should be pronounced "Albin."

Reason for ban: Information technology isn't a proper noun.

Swedish naming law states, in role, that "names which for some obvious reason are not suitable equally a first proper name" will non be approved. This 43-character monstrosity that two parents tried to give their son clearly fits that description.

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#10. Carolina: Republic of iceland

Name meaning: A free person.

Reason for ban: The Icelandic alphabet doesn't include the letter "c."

In a very applied move, Iceland doesn't allow its citizens to give their children names that can't be written with the Icelandic alphabet or pronounced with proper Icelandic grammar.

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#11. Christmas Solar day: Sonora, United mexican states

Name meaning: The day Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Reason for ban: It could crusade embarrassment, bullying, and derision.

In an effort to prevent children from being teased, the Mexican state of Sonora included the Dec. 25 vacation on its listing of 61 banned names.

12 / 50

#12. Chow Tow: Malaysia and Victoria, Commonwealth of australia

Name meaning: Smelly head.

Reason for ban: The Malaysian government doesn't allow pejorative words every bit names.

Grub Tow, which means "evil-smelling head" in Cantonese, is off-limits in Malaysia and parts of nearby Australia.

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#13. Cyanide: United Kingdom

Name meaning: A deadly poison.

Reason for ban: The moniker might bring harm to the kid in the future.

A United kingdom court intervened afterwards a British woman named her twins "Cyanide" and "Preacher." The conclusion was that neither name would be appropriate for a child, and specifically stated the proper noun "Cyanide" could exist interpreted as a rejection of the girl by her mother.

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#xiv. Enrique: Iceland

Proper name significant: The Spanish class of Heinrich, Germanic for "powerful ruler of the home."

Reason for ban: Strange names are generally not allowed in Iceland.

Like "Carolina," this name can't be assigned to a person in Iceland because "Enrique" can't exist pronounced using traditional Icelandic grammar.

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#15. Facebook: Sonora, Mexico

Name meaning: The social media platform and website.

Reason for ban: The Mexican state prohibits names "lacking in meaning."

Sadly, your obsession with viral videos doesn't give y'all license to name your kid "Facebook"—at least, not in Sonora, Mexico. The state prohibits names devoid of meaning (no matter how meaningful one may personally find the social networking site), and those that could be construed equally derogatory.

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#sixteen. Fraise: French republic

Name meaning: Strawberry.

Reason for ban: It's embarrassing and too similar to a slang term.

Though French parents have the leeway to name their kids anything they like, local prosecutors can report  questionable names to the higher court. A judge in 2015 ruled that the proper noun "Fraise" was too similar to "ramène ta fraise," which loosely translates to "become your butt over here." The name, the court adamant, was therefore inappropriate.

17 / 50

#17. Gesher: Norway

Name meaning: Span.

Reason for ban: Information technology'due south non on the Norwegian government'south list of approved names.

Kirsti Larsen said the proper name "Gesher"—the Hebrew word for "span"—came to her in a dream. Simply since it wasn't included on the official government list of canonical names, she was asked to change it or pay a fine of ane,600 kroner. Larsen refused and concluded up serving 2 days in jail.

18 / 50

#18. God: Victoria, Australia

Name meaning: An all-powerful existence.

Reason for ban: Several names explicitly tied to religion are banned.

The Australian state doesn't allow parents to give their children whatever religious monikers. That includes names like "Jesus" and "Bishop."

19 / 50

#19. Harry Potter: Sonora, United mexican states

Proper noun meaning: "Harry" comes from the German "Heri," or "army," but the name is more than closely attributed to the fictional wizard and namesake of J.Chiliad. Rowling'due south fantasy novels.

Reason for ban: It could cause embarrassment and bullying.

Every bit much every bit nosotros all admire J.K. Rowling's boy wizard, the Sonoran regime doesn't think any kid should accept to abound upwardly in Harry Potter'southward shadow.

20 / 50

#xx. III: California, United States

Name meaning: Three, or the third.

Reason for ban: It'south inherently confusing.

Thomas Boyd Ritchie Three tried to change his name to the Roman numeral "III" in California, saying he already uses it as a nickname with friends and acquaintances. The court disagreed, nonetheless, stating symbols or numbers alone don't plant a name—and that Californians must have a get-go and last proper noun.

21 / 50

#21. Ikea: Commonwealth of australia

Proper name meaning: A chain of Swedish furniture superstores.

Reason for ban: Information technology'south not appropriate for a child's proper name.

For starters, the multinational furniture visitor has a trademark on its proper name. The moniker as well flies in the face up of the Australian government's policy to not allow name assignments that aren't in a child's (or the public's) best interest.

22 / 50

#22. iMac: Commonwealth of australia

Proper noun significant: A desktop computer produced past Apple tree.

Reason for ban: It's an object, not a person's proper noun.

Naming a child later on a pop calculator—no affair how high-quality—doesn't exactly show the world how much you love and care for your son or daughter.

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#23. Linda: Kingdom of saudi arabia

Name pregnant: Soft, tender; cute.

Reason for ban: It'southward strange.

The Saudi Arabian government actually takes issue with several Western girls' names. These include seemingly beneficial names such equally "Alice" and "Elaine."

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#24. Lucía: California, United states

Name meaning: Graceful light.

Reason for ban: Accents and special characters aren't permitted in California.

California only allows names written using the 26 letters of the alphabets. That means no special characters, numbers, or accents.

25 / 50

#25. Lucifer: New Zealand

Name meaning: The devil.

Reason for ban: It's derogatory.

From 2001 to 2013, six sets of New Zealand parents attempted to name their children "Lucifer." Luckily for the newborns, the New Zealand Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages has to corroborate all names. This devilish one didn't make the cutting.

26 / 50

#26. Mafia No Fearfulness: New Zealand

Name meaning: Who knows?

Reason for ban: It's inappropriate.

Each year, New Zealand officials have to reject a bevery of unusual name requests by parents. Since 2001, the monikers nigh commonly shot downward are "Justice" and "King." Oddly enough, "Mafia No Fright" was requested just once.

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#27. Malek: Saudi arabia

Name meaning: King.

Reason for ban: This title is reserved solely for royalty.

Equally a monarchy, Kingdom of saudi arabia bans the utilise of all kinds of regal names by commoners. And don't even think about "Malika," the word for "queen."

28 / fifty

#28. Matti: Germany

Name meaning: Gift of god.

Reason for ban: It doesn't clearly indicate gender.

Germany doesn't permit gender-neutral names, which is why Matti wasn't allowed as a male child'southward name. The state really has a pretty extensive ready of regulations around names. Prohibited are last names, offensive terms, products, and objects as get-go names.

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#29. Messi: Rosario, Argentine republic

Proper name meaning: The last name of legendary soccer actor Lionel Messi.

Reason for ban: Concluding names can't be used equally start names.

Soccer fans in Messi'southward hometown seeking to pay tribute to their sports hero by naming infants afterwards him are out of luck—at least, if they want to apply the final name "Messi" every bit a child's starting time name. "Lionel" is withal off-white game!

30 / 50

30. Monkey: Denmark

Name meaning: A primate.

Reason for ban: It's inappropriate and could lead to bullying.

Naming a human being afterwards an animal—even one we're distantly related to—doesn't exactly have positive connotations.

31 / 50

#31. Nabi: Saudi Arabia

Name meaning: Prophet.

Reason for ban: Some consider naming a child "prophet" sacrilegious.

Religious names tin be controversial in Saudi Arabia, equally they can often be interpreted several means in Standard arabic. Giving your child the first name "Nabi" or "Nabiyya," which refers to a female prophet, could be considered blasphemous.

32 / 50

#32. Nutella: France

Proper noun significant: A popular chocolate-hazelnut spread.

Reason for ban: It's besides similar to a well-known food.

A French courtroom ruled that sharing a name with a breakfast food normally institute on European breakfast tables was "contrary to the child'south involvement." The child was renamed "Ella."

33 / fifty

#33. Osama bin Laden: Germany

Name meaning: The proper name of the former leader of al-Qaeda.

Reason for ban: Information technology's offensive.

Federal republic of germany stopped a Turkish couple from naming their kid afterward the al-Qaeda leader, noting the family'south dwelling land wouldn't permit the name, either.

34 / 50

#34. Panties: Australia

Proper name meaning: A synonym for underwear.

Reason for ban: It'southward obscene.

Exercise we fifty-fifty need to explain why this isn't a good idea? The Australian government felt the need to ban it.

35 / 50

#35. Prime Minister: Victoria, Australia

Proper name meaning: The elected head of a government.

Reason for ban: Information technology'southward confusing.

Much every bit you might admire your country's head of state, it's probably not a good thought to give the title to your offset-born.

36 / fifty

#36. Pluto: Denmark

Proper name meaning: Possibly the all-time-known dwarf planet in the universe.

Reason for ban: Information technology's inappropriate.

Deplorable, science geeks: Denmark's Law on Personal Names still doesn't let the name "Pluto." The police force holds, fifty-fifty after 2006 when Pluto was demoted to "dwarf planet" status.

37 / fifty

#37. Sarah: Kingdom of morocco

Proper noun significant: Pure, happy.

Reason for ban: It'southward not traditionally Moroccan.

Moroccan parents must cull babe names from a government-approved list that fit the "Moroccan identity." The Hebrew name "Sarah" did not make the cut.

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#38. Sh*th**d: Australia

Proper noun meaning: A common swear word.

Reason for ban: It's obscene and offensive.

Few countries will allow curse words as infant names; Commonwealth of australia is no exception. The state has gone so far as to explicitly ban this proper name.

39 / 50

#39. Evil-smelling: Australia

Name meaning: Someone who stinks.

Reason for ban: It's derogatory.

At present that's just hateful. Australian officials thankfully kept at to the lowest degree one child from unwittingly being forced into a lifetime of mockery.

40 / 50

#forty. Sor Chai: Malaysia

Name meaning: Insane.

Reason for ban: Information technology's derogatory.

Naming your child a slang term for someone with mental health issues doesn't exactly set them up for success. Job interviews solitary would be virtually impossible.

41 / 50

#41. Stompie: Frg

Name significant: A brusk homo; also the proper name of a murdered Due south African teen activist.

Reason for ban: It might lead to bullying or ridicule.

Whether the parents wanted to pay a tribute to the immature anti-apartheid effigy Stompie Moeketsi or merely thought the name was cute, German officials rejected the proper name "Stompie" to prevent the child from existence teased.

42 / fifty

#42. Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii: New Zealand

Name significant: Irish pop ring in the mid-2000s.

Reason for ban: It exposes the kid to ridicule.

Afterward her parents named her "Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii," the child eventually began introducing herself to friends equally merely "K." She suffered so much embarrassment and teasing that a family court gauge really put her into courtroom guardianship so her name could be changed.

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#43. Titeuf: France

Name significant: A Swiss cartoon character and comic series.

Reason for ban: Comparisons to the comic strip weren't in the child's all-time interests.

Though paying an homage to pop culture in your child's proper name wouldn't crusade anyone to blink an eye in the United States, the French take a much stricter view. A court there ruled a male child could non be named after the popular, cowlicked comic strip character.

44 / 50

#44. Usnavy: Sonora, United mexican states

Name meaning: An homage to the United states Navy military branch.

Reason for ban: It's lacking in meaning and could exist used equally debasing.

Believe it or not, at least ane person attempted to name their child "Usnavy" in the by few years, prompting the local government to formally ban the name.

45 / 50

#45. Venerdi: Italy

Proper name meaning: The Italian word for "Fri."

Reason for ban: Information technology could cause mockery and bullying.

An Italian court ordered the parents of this lilliputian boy to rename him "Gregorio," saying the original name was associated with "subservience and inferiority" in Daniel Defoe's novel "Robinson Crusoe."

46 / 50

#46. Virgin: Australia

Name pregnant: Chaste.

Reason for ban: It's obscene.

The Australian authorities prohibits several names of a sexual nature, including "Scrotum" and "Thong."

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#47. Woti: Malaysia

Name pregnant: Sexual intercourse.

Reason for ban: It's obscene.

Unsurprisingly, the Malaysian government decreed that parents could not name infants the Malay word for sex.

48 / 50

#48. 50: New Jersey, United States

Name significant: 5 times 10.

Reason for ban: It'south a number.

Very few states take any laws prohibiting names, but New Jersey does have one. Numbers, symbols, and curse words are all off-limits. Distressing, George Costanza.

49 / 50

#49. '.' : New Zealand

Proper noun meaning: Full stop.

Reason for ban: It's not a name and could cause defoliation.

How would you even pronounce this? "Period"? "Full end"? "Dot"? Needless to say, New Zealand won't allow you to proper name your child with punctuation.

50 / 50

#50. @: China

Name pregnant: At. In Chinese, information technology's pronounced "ai-ta" which sounds similar to "love him" in Chinese.

Reason for ban: It'southward a symbol.

Chinese parents technically tin choose any name they'd like for their kids. That said, people are encouraged to choose baby names that can easily be read or scanned by a computer on a Resident Identity Card, the country's official identification certificate. Symbols aren't allowed, and simplified Chinese characters are encouraged over traditional ones.

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