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Picking a unique name for your baby is an exciting and meaningful part of becoming a parent. Many people choose names that reflect their culture, values, or creativity. However, some countries have rules in place to prevent parents from giving their children names that could lead to problems later in life. These rules are meant to protect children from names that might be offensive, confusing, or lead to bullying.

United States

In the US, parents have a lot of freedom when it comes to naming their kids, but there are still some limits. Certain names have been banned by courts or state laws. Names like King, Queen, Jesus Christ, Messiah, and Majesty are not allowed because they are titles or religious names that might cause confusion or make the child a target for teasing. Names with symbols or numbers, such as @ or 1069, are also not permitted. Some states are stricter than others and may reject names that are too long, contain unusual characters, or could lead to bullying.

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Japan

Japan also has rules to prevent children from facing difficulties because of their names. Recently, the country banned so-called “shiny” or “glittery” names—those with odd characters, strange pronunciations, or names based on pop culture. Examples of banned names include Pikachu (a Pokémon character), Nike (a global brand), and Devil. These rules aim to prevent teasing or problems in school and official documents. In Japan, choosing a name that fits within social norms is considered important for harmony and respect.

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New Zealand

New Zealand has a stricter approach. The country's Department of Internal Affairs reviews all baby names and can reject those that are considered offensive or likely to cause problems. Names such as King, Prince, Princess, and even alternative spellings like Prynce or Pryncess are banned. Other examples include Sativa and Indica, which are names of cannabis strains. Authorities in New Zealand urge parents to think about how a name will affect a child throughout their life and to avoid names that might be embarrassing or hard to live with.

While picking a unique name can be fun, it’s important to check local rules and consider how the name will impact your child in the future.