The name "Duke" is generally not allowed in Australia because it's considered an official royal title or rank, which can mislead people into thinking the child actually holds that position, violating rules designed to prevent confusion and protect children from embarrassment or false identity. Australian birth registries prohibit names that are obscene, too long, unpronounceable, or resemble official titles like King, Queen, Prince, or Duke, to ensure names are practical and don't cause social disharmony or misrepresent a person's status.
Here are a few names that won't make it onto a birth certificate in Australia: 🚫 Titles & Ranks: King, Queen, Prince, Princess,… and little Duke!
It's because they are (religious) titles and Mother is not. Same in New Zealand in that you cant name a child a 'title' hence no Baron, Queen, President etc.
Ikea (Australia)
The names can't be “obscene or offensive”; they can't be “contrary to the public interest”; and they can't be “established by repute or usage.” It's this last rule that prohibits Aussies from naming their children after the famous furniture retailer.
For example, religious titles for a first name such as Saint, Bishop, Goddess, Father, Sister or Pope, and the complete names of religious figures such as 'Jesus Christ', 'God', 'Satan', or 'Dalai Lama', are prohibited names.
Some of the names to avoid are Uchux, Skibidi, Ytjt, Harimau, Evil. Clearly, these aren't real. Or could they be? The first rule to observe when naming a child is to not give names that have a bad meaning in Bahasa Melayu or unsavoury words.
Chow Tow: Malaysia and Victoria, Australia
- Name meaning: Smelly head. - Reason for ban: The Malaysian government doesn't allow pejorative words as names. Chow Tow, which means “smelly head” in Cantonese, is off-limits in Malaysia and parts of nearby Australia.
Banned names in USA include King, Queen, Messiah.
The couple wanted to name their son Commodore, after the iconic Australian car. However, Commodore is also the title of a high-ranking Navy official. Military titles, among other things, are banned names in Australia. "So, we called him Holden Commodore.
Despite its negative connotations, Lucifer actually means 'bearer of light' or 'Morning Star'. But it is more commonly known as the name of the devil and is even banned in some countries. While the name isn't illegal in the UK, it has caused many debates whether it is an appropriate name for a baby.
Adolf (illegal in Germany and several other countries): Once a popular name throughout Europe, this name's association with the German leader responsible for the slaughter of millions has led to the nearly universal ban on using it.
Rare Baby Boy Names
Nutella is one of at least 11 baby names that are legally banned in the United States, despite the country's generally relaxed rules on naming.
Examples of titles and terms that may not be registered as a person's name include: Judicial, Military and Civil Law Enforcement titles - Colonel, Commander, Commissioner, Inspector, Judge, Justice, Marshal. Religious titles and categories - Bishop, God/Goddess, Saint.
"Originally we wanted to call him Commodore, but that's illegal in Australia." (FYI, it's a banned name because Commodore in this country refers to a very high-ranking Navy official.) "So, we called him Holden Commodore. He'll be one soon, and I do not regret it at all."
It was a common name in the first century, along with other forms of the name, like Joshua. It's not unusual in Greece (and permitted by the Church) to name sons Christos, and if someone can be named Christ, he can certainly be named Jesus. Whether it's a good idea is a matter of opinion.
Holden blamed a strong Australian currency, high manufacturing costs and a small domestic market among the reasons for exit of local manufacturing.
Key Takeaways. Both parents usually have equal rights to name or change their child's name, but if they disagree, state laws and courts may decide. Naming laws differ by state, with some states having restrictions on certain types of names, like those with symbols or too many characters.
In the U.S., parents can get wildly creative with baby names, but 11 have been officially ruled off-limits by courts. These banned names include King, Queen, Jesus Christ, III, Santa Claus, Majesty, Adolf Hitler, Nutella, Messiah, @, and 1069.
The notoriety of this association has rendered the name Adolf largely taboo in many Western societies. While some individuals may still carry this name, it is considerably rare and often met with reservations or disapproval.
Controversial figures and offensive names on the no-go list. Then, there are rules about names associated with controversial historical or political figures—think Adolf Hitler or Osama bin Laden. “Again, this is to protect the child,” Taylor concludes.
Germany. Germany is a very practical and forward thinking country, this also shows in their baby naming laws. When naming your child in Germany you must be able to tell the gender of the child by their first name, and then the name must also not have a negative effect on the wellbeing of the child.
Vintage girl names, popular in earlier eras but seeing a modern revival, include classics like Alice, Clara, Edith, Josephine, and Ruby, along with sweet nicknames becoming names themselves, such as Maisie (Margaret) and Sadie (Sarah), offering a blend of tradition and unique charm like Ada, Eloise, Iris, Mabel, and Violet.
Girl Names That Mean “Love”
You can legally change your name to whatever name you like (with a few exceptions). A general exception is that you cannot change your name to an obscenity or a racial slur. Be sure to check your state's marriage laws for any exceptions.