Did you know that some countries have strict rules about what you can name your baby? In 2014, a family in Iceland had trouble renewing their daughter’s passport because her name, “Estuska,” wasn’t on the approved list. They faced a similar problem with their son’s passport, which listed his name as “Boy.” In Iceland, parents must choose names from an approved list to ensure they fit the Icelandic alphabet and grammar rules. For example, the name “Harriet” wasn’t allowed, and the Icelandic alphabet doesn’t have the letter “C,” making it impossible to spell “Duncan” correctly.
Hi, I’m Erin McCarthy, and today we’re diving into the world of unusual baby names. Harriet and Duncan are just the beginning. Let’s explore some of the most peculiar names that people have tried to give their children.
In 2015, a French couple wanted to name their daughter “Nutella,” but a judge said no because it might lead to teasing. They ended up naming her “Ella” instead. In New Zealand, a couple tried to name their twins “Fish” and “Chips,” but those names were also rejected. Interestingly, while “Spinach” is banned in Australia, “Kale” is perfectly fine.
In January 2015, a French judge stopped a couple from naming their child “Fraise,” which means strawberry in French, because it might lead to teasing. They eventually chose the name “Phrasing.” In Wales, a woman tried to name her daughter “Cyanide,” claiming it was responsible for killing historical figures, but the court didn’t allow it. After 9/11, a Turkish couple in Germany wanted to name their child after Osama Bin Laden, but German officials rejected it to prevent potential embarrassment.
Norway also has strict naming rules. A mother was fined for using the unapproved name “Gescher.” In Japan, a baby named “Akuma,” meaning devil, caused such a stir that the government made it illegal.
In Malaysia, the government has a list of banned names, including “Chao Tao,” which means “smelly head.” Australia banned the name “Chief Maximus.” New Zealand even took guardianship of a girl named “Tallulah Does the Hula from Hawaii” to help her get a more suitable name.
New Zealand also banned the name “Full Stop,” which is just a punctuation mark. In China, symbols and numbers are not allowed in names, so a couple couldn’t name their son using the “@” symbol. In Sweden, a baby girl was initially named “Metallica,” but tax officials said it was inappropriate, although the name was later accepted.
Sweden’s strict naming laws have led to protests. One couple even tried to name their child a captcha code, but it was rejected.
What’s the most bizarre baby name you’ve ever heard? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for joining us on this journey through the world of unusual baby names!
Imagine you are in charge of creating a list of approved baby names for a country. Think about the cultural, linguistic, and social factors that might influence your choices. Write down at least 10 names you would include and explain why each name made your list.
With a partner, choose one of the banned names from the article and role-play a court case where one of you is the parent trying to name your child, and the other is the judge. Prepare your arguments and present them to the class. Discuss the outcome and whether you agree with the real-life decision.
Choose a country not mentioned in the article and research its naming laws. Present your findings to the class, highlighting any unusual or interesting rules. Compare these laws to those in your own country and discuss any similarities or differences.
Create a poster that showcases a banned name from the article. Include information about why it was banned, the country it was banned in, and any cultural or historical context. Use images and creative design elements to make your poster engaging.
Write a short story about a character with an unusual name. Describe how their name affects their life, interactions with others, and any challenges they face. Share your story with the class and discuss how names can influence identity and perception.
In 2014, a family in Iceland faced difficulties renewing their 10-year-old daughter’s passport because her name was listed as “Estuska,” which is not an approved name in the National Register of Persons. They encountered a similar issue with their 12-year-old son’s passport, which listed his name as “Boy.” In Iceland, parents must choose names from an approved list to avoid potential embarrassment, and names must adhere to the Icelandic alphabet and grammar rules. The name “Harriet,” which the girl went by, was not acceptable, and there is no letter “C” in the Icelandic alphabet to spell her brother’s name, “Duncan,” correctly.
Hi, I’m Erin McCarthy, and welcome to the list show. Harriet and Duncan are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to unusual baby names. Today, we’ll explore some of the most peculiar and outright bizarre names that people have attempted to give their children.
In 2015, a French couple wanted to name their daughter “Nutella,” but a judge ruled against it, stating it could lead to mockery. Instead, the child’s name was shortened to “Ella.” In New Zealand, a couple tried to name their twins “Fish” and “Chips,” but the names were also rejected. Interestingly, “Spinach” is banned in Australia, while “Kale” is acceptable.
In January 2015, a French judge intervened when a couple wanted to name their child “Fraise,” the French word for strawberry. The judge deemed it an unfit name, suggesting it could lead to teasing. The parents eventually settled on “Phrasing.”
In another case, a woman in Wales attempted to name her daughter “Cyanide,” arguing that it was responsible for killing historical figures. However, the court did not allow it. After 9/11, a Turkish couple in Germany wanted to name their child after Osama Bin Laden, but German officials rejected the name due to potential humiliation.
Norway has strict naming regulations, and one mother was fined for using the unapproved name “Gescher.” In Japan, a baby named “Akuma,” meaning devil, caused such a stir that the government eventually made the name illegal.
The Malaysian government compiled a list of banned names, including “Chao Tao,” which translates to “smelly head.” In Australia, the name “Chief Maximus” was also banned. New Zealand went so far as to assume guardianship of a girl named “Tallulah Does the Hula from Hawaii” to find her a more appropriate name.
Among the banned names in New Zealand is “Full Stop,” which is just a punctuation mark. China prohibits symbols and numerals in baby names, rejecting a couple’s attempt to name their son using the “@” symbol. In Sweden, a baby girl was initially named “Metallica,” but tax officials deemed it inappropriate, although the name was later accepted.
Sweden’s strict naming laws have sparked protests, with one couple trying to name their child a captcha code, which was rejected.
What’s the most bizarre baby name you’ve ever heard? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for watching!
Baby – A very young child, especially one newly or recently born. – The census report showed an increase in the number of babies born in the country last year.
Names – Words by which a person, place, or thing is known and distinguished from others. – In many cultures, names are chosen based on their meanings and the values they represent.
Banned – Officially or legally prohibited. – The government banned certain books from schools due to their inappropriate content.
Rules – Prescribed guides for conduct or action which are established by authority, custom, or agreement. – The classroom rules were designed to ensure a respectful and productive learning environment.
Countries – Nations with their own governments, occupying a particular territory. – The United Nations is an organization that promotes peace and cooperation among countries worldwide.
Unusual – Not common, rare, or out of the ordinary. – The historian discovered an unusual artifact that provided new insights into ancient civilizations.
Passport – An official document issued by a government, certifying the holder’s identity and citizenship and entitling them to travel under its protection to and from foreign countries. – Before traveling abroad, she made sure her passport was up to date.
Alphabet – A set of letters or symbols in a fixed order used to represent the basic sounds of a language. – Learning the alphabet is the first step in reading and writing in any language.
Judge – A public official appointed to decide cases in a court of law. – The judge listened carefully to both sides before making a fair decision in the trial.
Teasing – The act of making fun of or provoking someone in a playful or unkind way. – The teacher reminded the students that teasing can hurt others’ feelings and is not acceptable behavior.
