Australia’s Banned Baby Names: A Surprising List
Australia has an official list of 89 banned names under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996, with some choices that might come as a surprise.
According to the law, names are prohibited if they are offensive, misleading, too long (over 50 characters), or against the public interest. Names that include symbols or punctuation without phonetic meaning are also restricted.
Read More: Ananya Panday Embraces Spoiled Rich Girl Role in ‘Call Me Bae’
Some examples of banned names include:
- Royal or Official Titles: King, Queen, Prince, Princess, Duke, Admiral
- Religious or Mythical Names: Pope, God, Jesus Christ, Saint, Dalai Lama
- Offensive Terms: Adolf Hitler, Terrorist
- Brand Names: Facebook, Ikea, Nutella, iMac, Medicare
- Unusual Entries: Monkey, Harry Potter, Cyanide, Passport
- Even “Australia” is off-limits, although nicknames like Aussie or Ozzy are allowed.
Baby name consultant Michelle Casey explains that the list reflects an increasing trend of parents looking for bold, unconventional names to express personal values or identity. However, most parents ultimately opt for names that are unique yet socially acceptable.
Interestingly, names aren’t automatically rejected. Registries in different states assess cultural relevance and public perception before making a decision. Some banned names, such as Saint, Justice, or Duke, have even been approved under specific circumstances.
Thus, while parents are encouraged to be creative, they must adhere to these regulations when naming their children in Australia.
