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Many names and naming conventions have been banned in some countries around the world. Below is a peep into the list, as extracted from an analysis by Independent UK:
Portugal
The country has banned the follwing names:
Viking
Jimmy
Rihanna
Sayonara
Catherine – the country has banned this Anglicised name. The country prefers ‘Caterina’
Saudi Arabia
Alice
Maya
Abdul Nasser (banned because of its association with Egypt’s Cold War nationalist ruler Gamal Abdul Nasser)
Names that contradict the culture or religion of Saudi Arabia are also banned.
Germany and Denmark
Taylor
Ashley
Morgan
Jordan
Germany and Denmark have a rule against the above gender neutral names. In fact, Denmark controls names to such an extent that parents can only choose from an approved list of 7,000. Any name not on the list has to be approved by two separate review bodies.
France
Other countries strictly scrutinise unusual names. For instance in France, weird names are reported by local registrars to the courts who can ban the name.
So if you want to call your child Strawberry, it will have to be registered outside of France.
Sweden, Mexico, others
Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Mexico, and many other states have rules against any name that might mean the child is bullied, or causes offence.
Prince William (France)
Osama bin Laden (Germany)
Adolf Hitler (Germany)
Anus (Denmark)
Elvis (Sweden)
Metallica (Sweden)
Rambo (Mexico)
Batman (Mexico)
Sexual Intercourse (Malaysia)
Smelly head (Malaysia)
Scrotum (Mexico)
In October a judge in Germany prevented a family from naming their child ‘Lucifer’. This name is also banned in New Zealand, who in 2013 released a list of all the names that have been denied approval. Switzerland also bans any ‘biblical villains’, so you are allowed the good guys of the Bible, just none of the evil doers.
Judas (Switzerland)
Lucifer (Switzerland, New Zealand)
Malak/Angel (Saudi Arabia)
Malaysia
In Malaysia, naming a child after something in nature is considered deeply offensive. Names like Snake and Bear, as translated to English, are banned.
Iceland
Grammar and linguistics can also shape a baby name. In Iceland, names must have endings that fit the word endings that fit the grammar. In addition, the names all have to contain letters from the Icelandic alphabet – which excludes names that contain a C, Q, or a W.
Zoe (Iceland)
Harriet (Iceland)
Duncan (Iceland)
Enrique (Iceland)
Ludwig (Iceland)
Switzerland
the swapping of girl names for boy names, or boy names for girl names, or of surnames for forenames is banned.
Norway
Norway also has a rule against using a last name as a first name.
Hansen
Johansen
Olden
BRANDS
Brands are also banned in a number of countries.
Facebook (Mexico)
Ikea (Sweden)
Mercedes (Switzerland)
Nutella (France)
Mini Cooper (France)
Chanel (Switzerland)