Buzz
Opting for a distinctive and fascinating name for your child is perfectly fine. However, soon-to-be parents, heed this advice: Avoid committing to that seemingly brilliant idea that struck you at 2:30 AM, just half an hour after delivery. Take a moment to ensure you’re not inadvertently setting your child up for a lifetime of ridicule and bullying with an ill-considered name.
Here’s a useful suggestion: If a judge intervenes and outright rejects the name, you might be as reckless—and eccentric—as the parents who attempted to bestow the following regrettable names upon their children.
10. Preacher And Cyanide
In 2016, a single mother from Wales found herself in court after social workers discovered a highly questionable decision she had made. The woman, who had twins—a boy and a girl—along with three older half-siblings, had a troubled past involving drug abuse, mental health issues, and abusive relationships. However, it wasn’t these factors that led to her court appearance. Instead, it was her decision to name her son “Preacher” and her daughter “Cyanide.”
While “Preacher” is undeniably unusual, it was “Cyanide” that truly caught the judge’s attention. The judge demanded an explanation for why the mother would name her daughter after one of the most infamous poisons in history. She defended her choice by stating that the name sounded beautiful and that cyanide was responsible for the deaths of Hitler and Goebbels, which she viewed as a positive.
The judge deemed her reasoning utterly absurd and ruled that the twins’ older siblings should be responsible for naming them. Although “Preacher” was not considered offensive, merely strange, the judge effectively stripped the mother of her right to name or care for her children. All five of her children are now in foster care.
9. Messiah
In 2013, a Tennessee couple in the midst of a divorce found themselves in court, disputing over which parent’s last name their child should carry. They had already settled on a first and middle name, but the judge intervened upon hearing their chosen first name: “Messiah.”
The judge argued that “Messiah” is not a name but “a title exclusively reserved for Jesus Christ.” She added, “Bestowing this name on the child imposes an unrealistic expectation that no human can live up to.” She decided to retain the child’s middle name but changed the first name to Martin (the mother’s surname) while allowing the father’s last name to remain.
However, the baby temporarily named Martin didn’t stay that way for long. An appeals court determined that the judge’s decision was influenced by her personal religious views. Consequently, the parents—who claimed they simply liked the sound of the name—were ultimately allowed to keep their child named Messiah.
8. Nutella
France has recently seen several peculiar cases involving unusual baby names. French courts have the authority to challenge any newly registered name they consider inappropriate, which is exactly what happened in January 2015 when a couple chose to name their daughter “Nutella.”
For those unaware, Nutella is a widely loved chocolate hazelnut spread enjoyed globally, including in France. The name, however, raised eyebrows and led to legal intervention.
The judge stated that naming a child “Nutella” would subject her to mockery and negative perceptions, which is against her best interests. In the parents’ absence—they didn’t attend the hearing—the judge changed the baby’s name to Ella, a decision that seemed fair and sensible.
7. Strawberry
In another French case from January 2015—suggesting these parents might know each other—a couple was barred from naming their daughter “Fraise,” the French term for “strawberry.” A judge instead assigned the name Fraisine, a 19th-century name regarded as refined and sophisticated, and notably, not associated with a food item that pairs surprisingly well with Nutella.
The judge emphasized that the food association wasn’t the sole reason for rejecting the name. He was particularly concerned about the child being frequently exposed to the common slang phrase ramene ta fraise, which loosely means “get your behind over here.”
6. Prince William
In a 2015 French case—highlighting a recurring trend—a judge rejected a couple’s decision to name their child “Prince William.” The judge argued that the name would subject the child to a “lifetime of ridicule” and instructed the parents to select a different name. They complied and proposed “Minnie Cooper,” which was also denied by the judge.
As you might have noticed, this has been a longstanding issue in France, particularly since 1993. That year, a legal change removed the requirement for parents to select names from a government-approved list.
Despite many unconventional names being rejected, several unusual choices have still been accepted. Names inspired by Game of Thrones characters have been permitted, and even names like Tarzan and Mowgli have received official approval.
5. Adolf Hitler
In 2008, a New Jersey couple gained national attention when they demanded that a local ShopRite bakery write their three-year-old son’s full name, “Adolf Hitler Campbell,” on his birthday cake. Over the years, the Campbell family’s story has only grown stranger.
Following the cake incident, social services removed their other eight children, who bore names like Heinrich Hons and JoyceLynn Aryan Nation. The couple eventually separated, and Mrs. Campbell was arrested after a physical altercation with Mr. Campbell’s new girlfriend. In 2013, Mr. Campbell attended a custody hearing dressed in full Nazi attire to request visitation rights, which were promptly denied.
Later, Mr. Campbell faced assault charges for attacking his new girlfriend, a recurring issue in the family. He fled and remained on the run for months before being apprehended in Pennsylvania in 2016. That June, the man famously labeled by the media as “Nazi Dad” was sentenced to six months in jail.
4. 4Real
During an ultrasound appointment, New Zealand couple Pat and Sheena Wheaton had a moment of inspiration when they realized their soon-to-arrive baby was, in fact, for real. Whether this epiphany struck while Prince’s music played in the waiting room or simply because the Wheatons are avid fans, they immediately decided to name their unborn son “4Real.”
Their unconventional choice was blocked not by a judge but by the New Zealand government registry. Officials informed them that names containing numbers were not permitted, rendering their chosen name invalid.
Undeterred, the couple announced to the press that they would continue using the name informally and might challenge the decision in court. In the meantime, they settled on their backup choice, a far more conventional name: “Superman.”
3. Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii
In 2008, a New Zealand couple embroiled in a custody battle for their nine-year-old daughter faced immediate criticism from the judge, even before the case began. The judge’s reaction was understandable, as any argument from parents who named their child “Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii” would naturally raise eyebrows.
The judge highlighted that the girl refused to share her name with friends, instead asking to be called “K”—a letter notably absent from her full name. The judge condemned the parents’ choice, stating that such decisions burden children with “unnecessary social disabilities and handicaps.”
Going further, the judge removed the girl from her parents’ custody and placed her under court guardianship, where she was given a new, more sensible name free from ridicule.
2. Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116
In 1996, a Swedish couple tried to register the lengthy name above as their son’s first name. Pronounced “albin,” they described it as “an expressive, artistic creation reflecting a profound development.”
The couple appeared in court to contest a $682 fine for not registering an appropriate name by their child’s fifth birthday. They proposed a compromise by renaming their child “A,” but this was also rejected, likely after a moment of stunned silence. The fine was ultimately upheld.
1. @
In a 2007 case, a couple in China attempted to name their son “@,” symbolizing their boundless love for him. However, government officials rejected the unconventional choice.
The situation is even more peculiar because China doesn’t use the Western alphabet. However, Chinese email users often pronounce the “@” symbol with an extended “T” sound.
In noisy environments or for those with hearing difficulties, this pronunciation resembles the Chinese phrase ai ta, meaning “love him.” While the parents’ reasoning had a peculiar logic, the government ultimately refused to approve the name.
