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Bizarre baby names: banned in New Zealand
The spawn of Hollywood celebrities will probably want to avoid giving birth in New Zealand in the future. The annoying trend of bequeathing ridiculous names to one's offspring will no longer be tolerated in the island nation, according to CNN.The country's Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages is banning "weird" baby names: the current list includes Lucifer, Duke, Messiah, and 89 (let's hope that's not his/her birth order). Bishop, Baron, General, Judge, King, Knight, and Mr. were said to be too similar to titles. And letters such as C, D, I, and T and names involving punctuation marks? Nope.
In 2008, New Zealand's names registrar approved non-traditional names (there's a set of twins out there named Benson and Hedges). Apparently, circumstances or places of conception were also cool as namesakes. Hence, Violence and Number 16 Bus Shelter. But now there's an end to the madness, and hopefully New Zealand will once again become a nation of Liam's and Chloe's.
Fortunately, Sweden (sorry, Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116, pronounced Albin) and the Dominican Republic are getting on board with banning idiotic baby names. In 2007, a Dominican judge banned "Tonton" (Dummy) Ruiz, but only because it was confusing and/or gave no indication of gender.
I'm all for foreign or original baby names (despite to this day being called "Laura/Lauren/Nora/Floral/Coral" on a daily basis). But doesn't it constitute a form of child abuse when you stick your kid with a handle guaranteed to inspire butt-kicking on the playground? You'd better learn taekwando, Bronx Mowgli Wentz.
[Photo credit: Flickr user scherre]
[Via Global Post]
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Sweden, Dominican Republic, United States, New Zealand, News
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 5)
Cherokee Jul 22nd 2011 9:23AM
Belle....his name was Ahmet Emuukha Rodan, after the Japanese monster movie character....lol. They also had a daughter after him & her name was Diva.
anoushkafrappe Jul 21st 2011 4:47PM
Well it's a good thing that they haven't tried that kind of crap in the US of America. If that rich Whit folk's EVER comes to this country, more that HALF of the Black baby brothas and siatahs in America would remain forever NAMELESS and The National Black Dictionary Of Ebonics would be stripped of ALL of its first names whittling it down to a mere page or two! This Shetakinayneh ain't playing THAT kind of White People's game. Oh No she ain't!
Dot Jul 21st 2011 4:50PM
saw a child named I'llkillya....obviously his parents dont have high hopes for him to be anything except a gang banger or mass murderer
bandicoot5 Jul 21st 2011 5:19PM
I'm trying to picture who would vote for President I'llkillya, or have a business meeting with I'llkillya, CEO. Or even better, Dr. I'llkillya! Who will ever take that poor kid seriously with a moniker like that? He won't get far.
Cop: What's your name, punk?
Thug: I'llkillya!
Cop: One more time, what's your name?
Thug: I'LLKILLYA!
Cop: (shoots Thug) He threatened me, so I shot him.
el Jul 21st 2011 4:55PM
learn how to spell. If you are so proud to be an American, maybe you should learn English and stop talking all that Jive. You're no better than foreigners who refuse to assimilate to American culture
anni Jul 21st 2011 5:43PM
Did you watch the Casey Anthony trial. I assume you will agree that Judge Perry is educated. He says "wiff" instead of "with", but I completely understand him. It is called an 'accent' Mr. Dumbass.
anni Jul 21st 2011 5:43PM
what if YOU moved to another country. Would you stop watching American Football scores? Would you change the kind of underwear you wear? Would you change ALL the foods you eat? Would you cover your head? Get a grip and adjust to the real world
melissa Jul 21st 2011 5:54PM
"only because it was confusing and/or gave no indication of gender," is not a good reason to ban a name. there is no reason a name should be required to indicate gender. i hate these ridiculous laws. The only purpose seems to be to stifle creativity and individuality. it should be up to the parents. some parents make bad choices. should we ban ugly baby clothes and unpopular religions too? this is too sad. also, bronx mowgli is not a very unusual name. they are both real words with clear references, and bronx is a relatively popular name here in new york (although not particularly to my liking.)
jo jo Jul 21st 2011 11:32PM
I think the heat is getting to you.
joan Jul 21st 2011 5:29PM
Did I misinterpret? Is there something wrong with the beautiful name--Lauren?
HWilk Jul 21st 2011 10:20PM
Yes actually, her name is Laurel. I think her comment indicated that people mistake Laurel for Lauren, as you have. It is an easy mistake to make, much to her annoyance I'm sure.
Frank Jul 21st 2011 10:18PM
I frequently read the sunday edition of the local newspaper (a small city of 61,000) because they publish a "births" section. The two, unchallenged winners so far have been "De'Jarius Zaquan" and "La'Darius Jovante" no kidding...I don't recall the last names. So far those are the two most hilarious names I've found.
Rosemary Jul 21st 2011 9:38PM
Maybe I can top that, I work for a Insurance company and some of the baby names we had to add to insurance was really wierd we (girls in office) kept a list of the unique ones. We had sets of twins named Crayon and Crayola, Landrae and Langurae, baby boys named Faded Blue, Lil John, Denium, girl named Ima Pigg these are just a few of many.
Fi Jul 21st 2011 5:57PM
@joan No, nothing wrong with the name Lauren... except that the author's name is "Laurel".
ajschrod Jul 21st 2011 5:59PM
This is to anni: My wife and I have been laughing at imaginative baby names by black moms for years, and it so happens our many black friends howl along with us when one is particularly bizarre. Furthermore, a little humor never hurt anyone, but obviously you have trouble understanding the concept! Some people never add anything worthwhile in here--they only wait to pounce on someone else's comment, and crude language always helps show their intelligence. By the way, schrod is a 60-yr-old NICKNAME.
Terska Jul 21st 2011 6:06PM
I wish they would have this ban in the U.S.
Angiebaby Jul 21st 2011 7:04PM
Now, let me see if I've got this straight: In New Zealand, you can't name your child Bishop, Baron or Duke, but you CAN name your child Number 16 Bus Shelter? From the perspective that a person's name sets the pace and tone for the rest of their life, you'd think they would approve of Duke or Bishop any day over Bus Stop.
A Carpenter Jul 21st 2011 11:24PM
No, that is what someone named their kid last year. Causing them to put a ban on stupid names... If only they would do that in the USA
Sandy Jul 21st 2011 7:16PM
I get so sick and tired of people talking about african american names. There are enough Codys, Heathers, and Brittnys in this world.
Chris Jul 21st 2011 7:03PM
The saddest thing I think I have ever seen was when a girl who just had a baby thought she did not have input to name her child. On the ticket of the bassinet where the baby laid it said "female" Smith. The boyfriend came along and thought it was an exotic name so they kept it but changed the spelling a bit Fee-ma-lee. That poor child!