Every parent wants a unique name for their baby to help them stand out, but some choices are prohibited by countries to safeguard children from potential trauma and confusion. This post lists over 100 illegal baby names from around the world and explains the reasons behind their prohibition.

By understanding these restrictions, parents can avoid selecting names that could lead to legal troubles or social difficulties for their children, ensuring a better future for their little ones.

Illegal Baby Names Around The World

1. Amir

  • Country: Saudi Arabia

Names that imply royalty, like Amir (meaning "Prince"), are banned to prevent any association with royal titles.

2. @

  • Country: China

The name "@" is pronounced "Aita" in Mandarin. Chinese authorities prohibit names that are symbols or numerals, as they don't conform to traditional naming conventions and are seen as impractical.

3. Nutella

  • Country: France

Named after a popular brand, which can be seen as a form of commercialism and potentially subject the child to ridicule. French courts ruled that it was not in the best interest of the child.

4. Robocop

  • Country: Mexico

Named after a fictional character, which can be seen as inappropriate and could lead to potential bullying or lack of seriousness in a child's life.

5. Sex Fruit

  • Country: New Zealand

Considered offensive and inappropriate, such names could subject a child to ridicule and are not in the child's best interests.

6. Anus/Anal

  • Country: Denmark and New Zealand

Names related to body parts, especially those with explicit connotations, are deemed inappropriate and likely to cause embarrassment and bullying.

7. Spinach

  • Country: Australia

Named after a vegetable, which is seen as unsuitable and potentially humiliating for the child.

8. Akuma

  • Country: Japan

Means "devil" in Japanese. Names with negative or evil connotations are banned to protect the child's wellbeing.

9. Aryan

  • Country: Nearly universal

Despite its ancient roots in Iran and India, the name is now closely associated with Nazi ideology and white supremacist beliefs, making it controversial and inappropriate.

10. Osama Bin Laden

  • Country: Germany

Direct association with the terrorist leader responsible for the 9/11 attacks. The name is considered offensive and inappropriate.

11. Ashanti

  • Country: Portugal

The name Ashanti, which is the name of a tribe, is not allowed because Portugal favors traditional Portuguese names.

12. Bonghead

  • Country: Australia

The name is considered offensive and derogatory, making it inappropriate for use as a child's name.

13. Cyanide

  • Country: United Kingdom

Associated with a lethal poison, the name is seen as extremely inappropriate and potentially harmful.

14. Enrique

  • Country: Iceland

Foreign names that cannot be pronounced using traditional Icelandic grammar are generally not allowed.

15. Talula Does the Hula in Hawaii

  • Country: New Zealand

Overly long and impractical, this name was deemed to subject the child to potential ridicule and inconvenience.

16. Matti

  • Country: Germany

German naming laws require that a baby's name clearly indicate their gender. The name Matti was rejected because it was deemed too ambiguous regarding the child's gender.

17. God

  • Country: Australia

Names explicitly tied to religion, like God, are banned to avoid any potential offense or undue harm.

18. Harry Potter

  • Country: Mexico

Names that could cause embarrassment or bullying, like Harry Potter, are banned to protect the child's welfare.

19. Hermione

  • Country: Mexico

Strongly associated with the fictional character from the Harry Potter series. Authorities likely see it as a potential source of ridicule or undue attention.

20. Rambo

  • Country: Mexico

Linked to the fictional violent character from the Rambo movies, the name could be seen as promoting violence or being too sensational.

Illegal Girl Names

21. Fraise

  • Country: France

The name means Strawberry in French. Authorities believed it would subject the child to ridicule.

22. Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116

  • Country: Sweden

This name was considered an unacceptable choice due to its absurd length and complexity, making it impractical and potentially harmful to the child.

23. Ikea

  • Country: Sweden

The name, associated with the Swedish furniture giant, was deemed inappropriate as a child's name due to its commercial connotations.

24. III

  • Country: New Zealand

New Zealand prohibits names that are simply Roman numerals or similar symbols, as they can lead to administrative and practical difficulties.

25. .

  • Country: New Zealand

Also known as a full stop, this name was rejected because the use of punctuation in names is not allowed, as it could cause confusion and complications in official records.

26. Blu

  • Country: Italy

The name Blu as a first name is considered inappropriate by Italian authorities. The courts ruled that it falls into the category of ridiculous or shameful names, which might cause the child embarrassment or ridicule.

27. 水子

  • Country: Japan

Composed of kanji for “water” and “child,” this name historically refers to a baby that has died in the womb or through miscarriage, making it inappropriate and potentially distressing.

28. Linda

  • Country: Saudi Arabia

Certain names, including Linda, are banned as they are not in line with Saudi cultural and social traditions.

29. Apple

  • Country: Malaysia

Names derived from fruits and flowers are discouraged to prevent ridicule or cultural disapproval, despite their popularity elsewhere.

30. Camilla

  • Country: Iceland

The letter C is not in the Icelandic alphabet, making any name containing it, including Camilla, unacceptable.

31. Friday

  • Country: Italy

Known as Venerdi in Italian, the name was considered ridiculous or shameful by the courts, who ordered it to be changed to a more conventional name like Gregorio.

32. Peppermint and Stone

  • Country: Germany

Names like Pfefferminze Peppermint) and Stone were rejected because they might cause ridicule or because they are objects rather than suitable human names.

33. J

  • Country: Switzerland

Single-letter names are not permitted, as they are deemed insufficient for identification. The name Jo was suggested instead.

34. Sarah

  • Country: Morocco

The name Sarah, with an H, is banned because it is seen as too Hebrew. The Arabic version of Sara is accepted.

35. Diamond

  •  Country: Hungary

Names like Diamond were rejected by the Hungarian authorities to prevent potential ridicule and ensure the names were culturally appropriate.

36. Ivory

  • Country: Quebec

In the late '90s, parents were asked to change the name Ivory due to its similarity to Ivory soap. They successfully appealed the decision.

37. Harriet

  • Country: Iceland

The name is illegal due to the absence of the letter C in the Icelandic alphabet, which means the name cannot be officially registered.

38. Violet

  • Country: Malaysia

Names derived from flowers are discouraged to prevent ridicule or cultural disapproval, despite their popularity elsewhere.

39. Chow Tow

  • Country: Malaysia

The name means Smelly Head in Cantonese, and it was banned to protect the child from potential ridicule and negative social consequences.

40. Jinx

  • Country: Hungary

The name Jinx was rejected by Hungarian authorities. Hungary maintains a list of approved names and often rejects names that might cause ridicule or are deemed culturally inappropriate.

Illegal Boy Names

41. Martian

  • Country: France

The name Martian was rejected to prevent potential ridicule or harm that could come from being associated with an extraterrestrial being.

42. Metallica, and Elvis

  • Country: Sweden

These names were banned because they are associated with brands or famous personalities, which can cause the child undue attention or ridicule.

43. Saint

  • Country: New Zealand

New Zealand prohibits names that imply a title or rank, as they are considered too grand or ostentatious.

44. Prince, King

  • Country: New Zealand

These regal-sounding names are banned to prevent any implied association with royalty or high rank, which can be misleading or pretentious.

45. Scrotum

  • Country: Mexico (Sonora)

These names were banned because they can lead to bullying and ridicule, given their association with fictional characters, body parts, or social media.

46. Tom

  • Country: Portugal

This country does not allow nicknames or diminutives as official names. Parents must use the full form, Tomás, instead of Tom.

47. Thor

  • Country: Portugal

Not a traditional Portuguese name and is considered too closely linked to the Norse god and Marvel character, making it inappropriate.

48. Snake

  • Country: Malaysia

Names that refer to animals, like Ah Chwar (Snake), are banned to avoid any potential ridicule or negative connotations.

49. Royal

  • Country: New Zealand

This regal-sounding name is banned to prevent any implied association with royalty or high rank, which can be misleading or pretentious.

50. Molli

  • Country: Denmark

Molli was rejected due to its unusual spelling, which can be inappropriate for a child.

51. Islam, Quran, and Mecca

  • Country: China (Western regions)

These names were banned as part of a crackdown on Muslim names, which was widely criticized as a restriction on religious freedom.

52. Mercedes and Chanel

  • Country: Switzerland

Brand names are not allowed in Switzerland to prevent commercialism and ensure names do not have brand associations.

53. Judas

  • Country: Switzerland

Names with negative religious connotations, like Judas, are banned to protect the child from potential harm and ridicule.

54. Lucifer

  • Country: Germany

The name Lucifer, despite its Latin origin meaning "lightbringing," was considered inappropriate due to its association with the devil.

55. Schmitz

  • Country: Germany

Last names are not allowed to be used as first names to avoid confusion and to preserve the distinct identity of first and last names.

56. Wolf

  • Country: Spain

The name Lobo (Wolf) was initially considered offensive, but after public petitioning, the ban was lifted.

57. Gesher

  • Country: Norway

The name, meaning "Bridge" in Hebrew, was rejected, and the mother chose to serve jail time rather than change the name.

58. Duke

  • Country: Australia

The name Duke is banned as it resembles a title and titles are not allowed as first names.

59. Tabarak

  • Country: Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, certain names are restricted to ensure they conform to Islamic principles and cultural norms. Tabarak, meaning blessed, might be prohibited due to religious sensitivities.

60. Lego

  • Country: Sweden

This name is banned because they are associated with brands or famous personalities, which can cause the child undue attention or ridicule.

Illegal Names In Us

61. King

This name implies royalty and a rank that could be misleading or inappropriate in everyday situations. It might suggest a status that the person does not hold, potentially causing confusion or issues in legal or social contexts.

62. Queen

Similar to "King," this name denotes royalty and a high rank. It could create confusion regarding the individual's actual status and might be seen as inappropriate or misleading in official documents and interactions.

63. Majesty

The term "Majesty" is a formal title used for monarchs and could be misleading if used as a personal name. It might be considered inappropriate for someone to use a name that implies they hold a high royal status.

64. Master

This name can imply a position of authority or control, which could be misleading or inappropriate. Additionally, it has historical connotations related to slavery, making it a potentially sensitive and offensive name choice.

65. Judge

The name "Judge" implies a legal authority or position within the judicial system. Using it as a personal name could cause confusion or misrepresentation, especially in legal contexts where individuals might incorrectly assume the person holds judicial power.

66. Duke

This name suggests a noble rank and could be misleading regarding the individual's actual status. It might create confusion or be seen as inappropriate in situations where titles of nobility are taken seriously.

67. Jesus Christ

Names with strong religious connotations are often rejected to avoid potential offense and undue harm to the child.

68. III

Using a Roman numeral as a name is inherently confusing and does not constitute a proper name according to court rulings. Californians must have a first and last name.

69. Santa Claus

A judge ruled it inappropriate for an adult to take on such a whimsical and widely recognized mythical name, which could cause practical issues and misunderstandings.

70. Misteri Nigger

This name includes a racial slur, which constitutes fighting words and is offensive, thus not allowed by the courts.

71. Adolf Hitler

This name is universally associated with Adolf Hitler, the dictator responsible for the Holocaust and WWII atrocities. The negative connotation and historical trauma make it widely banned.

72. Messiah

Considered a religious title rather than a name. Although some parents use it, it is seen as inappropriate in certain jurisdictions.

73. José

California does not allow diacritical marks on official documents, so José would have to be registered as Jose.

74. 1069

According to court rulings, numbers are not allowed as names, which state that names must be composed of letters and not numerals.

75. 50

Numbers are not allowed as names as per New Jersey law, which prohibits the use of numbers, symbols, and curse words in names.

76. Mary R.

Shortening a name to a single letter can be confusing and impractical for legal identification, potentially causing "chaos" in day-to-day affairs.

77. Prince William

Certain regal names like Prince William are restricted to avoid any confusion or implied association with royalty.

More Illegal Names In The World

78. iMac

  • Country: Australia

Named after a popular computer produced by Apple. Naming a child after a popular computer doesn’t show how much you love and care for your son or daughter, and it's an object, not a person’s name.

79. Mafia No Fear

  • Country: New Zealand

The meaning is unknown, but the name is inappropriate and could encourage negative connotations or associations.

80. Malek

  • Country: Saudi Arabia

This title is reserved solely for royalty. As a monarchy, Saudi Arabia bans the use of regal names by commoners.

81. Messi

  • Country: Rosario, Argentina

The last name of legendary soccer player Lionel Messi. Last names cannot be used as first names to avoid confusion and potential identity issues.

82. Monkey

  • Country: Denmark

A primate. It’s inappropriate and could lead to bullying, as it has negative connotations for a human name.

83. Prime Minister

  • Country: Victoria, Australia

The elected head of a government. It’s confusing and inappropriate to name a child after such a title.

84. Pluto

Country: Denmark

Named after a well-known dwarf planet, it is considered inappropriate for a person’s name in Denmark. Names in Denmark must adhere to specific guidelines to ensure they are suitable.

85. Smelly

  • Country: Australia

This name is derogatory as it implies that someone has an unpleasant odor. Such a name could subject a child to lifelong mockery and bullying, impacting their psychological well-being.

86. Stompie

  • Country: Germany

Stompie can refer to a short man and is also the name of a murdered South African teen activist. The potential for bullying or ridicule due to these associations makes it an inappropriate choice for a child's name.

87. Titeuf

  • Country: France

Named after a Swiss cartoon character and comic series, Titeuf is deemed inappropriate for a child’s name in France. Comparisons to the comic strip could be detrimental to the child's well-being and best interests.

88. Usnavy

  • Country: Sonora, Mexico

This name is an homage to the United States Navy. However, it is considered lacking in personal meaning and could be used pejoratively, making it an inappropriate choice for a child’s name.

89. Duncan

  • Country: Iceland

In Iceland, names must conform to grammatical rules and cultural traditions. Duncan is not on the approved list of names that fit these criteria, making it unsuitable according to Icelandic naming regulations.

90. Stephan

  • Country: Iceland

Similar to Duncan, Stephan does not conform to Icelandic grammatical rules and cultural traditions. The Icelandic form Stefán is preferred and fits the country's naming regulations.

91. Facebook

  • Country: Mexico

Named after a popular social media platform, Facebook lacks personal significance and could subject a child to ridicule, making it an inappropriate name choice.

92. Terminator

  • Country: Mexico

Named after a popular fictional character from a movie series, Terminator could lead to bullying or ridicule due to its strong association with a violent character.

93. James Bond

  • Country: Mexico

This name, after the famous fictional spy, could cause undue attention and confusion for the child. It is deemed inappropriate due to the strong association with the fictional character.

94. Rolling Stone

  • Country: Mexico

Named after a popular band, Rolling Stone could confuse and is not appropriate for a personal name. Such a name might subject the child to ridicule or misunderstanding.

95. Rocky

  • Country: Mexico

Named after a famous fictional boxer, Rocky could lead to bullying or ridicule. The association with the fictional character makes it unsuitable as a personal name.

96. Christmas Day

  • Country: Mexico

Naming a child after a holiday like Christmas Day is considered inappropriate and can cause confusion and ridicule. It is not a conventional or culturally acceptable name for a person.

98. Burger King

  • Country: Mexico

Named after a fast food chain, Burger King is inappropriate and could subject the child to ridicule. It is not suitable as a personal name due to its commercial connotations.

99. Nirvana

  • Country: Iceland

Similar to other names in Iceland, Nirvana must conform to grammatical rules and cultural traditions. If it does not fit these criteria, it is not approved for use as a personal name. 

100. Snort

  • Country: Australia

The name Snort is likely considered derogatory or humorous inappropriately, implying a noise often associated with laughter or a certain kind of behavior.

101. Constable

  • Country: New Zealand

Constable is a title for a police officer. Naming a child after a law enforcement rank could cause confusion and misrepresentation.

102. Justice

  • Country: New Zealand

Similar to Constable, the name Justice implies a legal authority or position within the judicial system. Using such a name could confuse and might be seen as a form of misrepresentation.

103. Allah Akbar

  • Country: Sweden

Allah Akbar, meaning God is great in Arabic, is a significant religious phrase in Islam. Naming a child after this phrase could be seen as blasphemous or disrespectful, especially in a secular context like Sweden.