Baby names so 'offensive' parents are banned from using them in UK

When it comes to naming a baby, most parents spend months pondering over various monikers to ensure the one they pick is perfect.

However, while there aren't many stringent rules about baby names in the UK, some push this boundary and found their monikers now on a 'banned' list. The UK Deed Poll Office states a parent has 42 days to register their newborn after birth - with or without a name.

A statement reads: "In Wales and England, you must still register the birth, and the name slot will remain blank. You have up to one full year from the registration date to enter a name into the register. In Scotland, parents must apply for a change of name if they did not include a name in the original document.

"Failure to name your child within the designated time frame can result in a fine. You may not be able to access health care and other benefits for your child. In the UK, a birth certificate is needed to get a marriage license, a passport, and other services.

"Not providing your child with a completed registration can negatively impact many aspects of their life."

While most names are accepted without question, some parents are asked to reconsider their decision as their first choice was deemed too "harmful to the child". The statement adds: "Names that are racist or considered harmful to the child could be illegal and banned in some parts of the UK."

Names that are restricted include:

• Are impossible to pronounce
• Include numbers, symbols, or punctuation marks (not including hyphens or apostrophes)
• Are considered offensive, vulgar, or blasphemous by the deed poll service
• Fraudulent (inferring the child has a rank, title, or inherited honour)
• Names that do not include at least one first name and one surname will not be accepted

However, only a small number of UK parents have been prohibited from using their chosen name for their child, meaning there are very few banned baby names on the UK list.

Names parents are forbidden from giving to a child in the UK include:

• Martian
• Chow Tow meaning ‘Smelly Head'
• Rogue
• Monkey
• Akuma signifying ‘Devil’
• Cyanide

But the UK isn't the only country in the world to have banned certain baby names, as the US, New Zealand and China, among others, have too.

• Chief Maximus (New Zealand)
• Robocop (Mexico)
• Sex Fruit (New Zealand)
• Linda (Saudi Arabia)
• Snake (Malaysia)
• Friday (Italy)
• Islam (China)
• Sarah (Morocco)
• Osama bin Laden (Germany)
• Metallica: (Sweden)
• Prince William (France)
• Devil (Japan)
• Blue (Italy)
• Circumcision (Mexico)
• Quran (China)
• BRFXXCCXXMNPCCCCLLLMMNPRXVCLMNCKSSQLBB11116 (Sweden)
• Harriet (Iceland)
• Monkey (Denmark)
• Thor (Portugal)
• 007 (Malaysia)
• Griezmann Mbappe (France)
• Talula Does the Hula from Hawaii (New Zealand)
• Bridge (Norway)
• Anal (New Zealand)
• Nutella (France)
• Wolf (Spain)
• Tom (Portugal)
• Camilla (Iceland)
• Judas (Switzerland)
• Duke (Australia)

Often people share their baby name choices on social media like Reddit or Mumsnet.