The surprising baby names that are BANNED around the world - including Linda

The surprising baby names that are BANNED around the world - including Linda READ MORE: New Zealand bans families from calling their baby 'Adolf Hitler' By XANTHA LEATHAM, EXECUTIVE SCIENCE EDITOR Published: 13:00, 19 April 2025 | Updated: 13:00, 19 April 2025 e-mail View comments When you're expecting a little one, one of the most exciting parts is choosing the perfect name. Most parents spend hours leafing through baby name books, speaking to friends and brainstorming ideas. While some choices might raise a few eyebrows, most are usually pretty standard.

But some baby names have been seen as so controversial they've been banned in certain countries, according to experts from language learning marketplace Preply. For several – such as the name 'Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116' – it's relatively obvious why. But some don't seem too bad – for example Fraise or Lord.



And in one country, even the name Linda has been forbidden. So, is your name banned in any countries? Your browser does not support iframes. Linda is a common name here in the UK, but in Saudi Arabia it's off the cards.

The name was deemed to be 'non-Islamic' and culturally inappropriate, which led to it being banned completely in 2014. In France, meanwhile, the name Fraise has been banned. Meaning 'strawberry' in French, it may seem like a sweet, innocent baby name.

But its slang connotations have led to it being forbidden. The common French phrase 'ramène ta fraise' loosely translates to 'get your butt over here' and, because of this crude association, authorities deemed It problematic. Authorities in France have also banned the name Nutella due to the risk of humiliation.

Further north, in Sweden, the name Metallica isn't allowed. The metal band has millions of die-hard fans across the globe and, in 2007, one couple took their devotion to the next level. Picking a baby name can be one of the biggest decision expectant parents can make, with almost endless options available The Swedish government rejected the pair's request to name their daughter Metallica, citing that it was inappropriate due to trademark concerns and potential confusion.

All hope is not lost for Swedish metal-lovers, however, as names like Mayhem, Gojira, and Opeth are all above board. A separate Swedish couple incurred a fine for failing to register a name for their child before their fifth birthday. In protest they chose 'Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116', supposedly pronounced 'Albin'.

The name was swiftly rejected by Swedish authorities in 1996 and has been on the no-go list ever since. Here in the UK, the word 'rogue' might make you think of a charming rule-breaker or even a superhero. But, as a baby name, it's off-limits.

British registrars previously rejected it on the grounds that it suggests unlawful or dangerous behaviour, which is an association they felt was inappropriate for a child's first impression. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, pictured with ex wife Gwyneth Paltrow (left), has a daughter named Apple (right). But in Malaysia, this fruity name is strictly off the table The name 'Cyanide' is also banned here, because a court determined it would likely cause significant emotional harm to the child and it was unacceptable to name a child after a 'notorious poison'.

Over in Australia, both the name LOL and the name Spinach aren't allowed. While naming your child after a leafy green might sound unique and health-conscious, it was blocked on the grounds it could cause ridicule. The name LOL – short for 'laugh out loud' – was ruled out by authorities who said it could undermine the seriousness of legal documents and lead to identification issues.

Nearby, in New Zealand, officials had to step in to prevent parents naming their twins 'Fish and Chips' out of concern it could lead to taunting from their peers. However, the country did allow a pair of twins to be named 'Benson and Hedges' after a popular cigarette brand. In 2008, a nine-year-old girl whose parents called her Talula Does the Hula from Hawaii was put into court guardianship in New Zealand so that her name could be changed.

A family court judge, Rob Murfitt, gave the order after hearing that the child was embarrassed about her name and had refused to reveal it to friends. Elon Musk's son's original name was X Æ A-12. However, they later changed it to X Æ A-Xii to comply with California laws, which do not allow numbers in legal names.

The name is pronounced 'X Ash A Twelve' (pictured together in the Oval Office) Your browser does not support iframes. Read More Man changes his name to Full Metal Havok More Sexy N Intelligent Than Spock And All The Superheroes Combined With Frostnova after losing a bet In Malaysia, all fruit and vegetable names are banned, from Apple to Papaya. Authorities there believe such names could invite teasing and are not in line with preserving the dignity of personal names.

Finally the name Akuma is banned in Japan, as it translates to 'devil', the name @ is banned in the USA, the name 'Burger King' isn't allowed in Mexico and the name BOChrVF260602 - which translates to 'biological human object of the Voronin-Frolov family born on June 26, 2002' – is outlawed in Russia. Preply is an online language class platform that connects learners and tutors. HOW DOES YOUR NAME IMPACT HOW OTHERS PERCEIVE YOU? A number of studies have found that our names change the way people judge our personality, age and more.

In a study published May 8, scientists at Syracuse University in New York asked 500 university students to rate 400 popular names spanning 70 years. Questions came in the format: 'Imagine that you are about to meet Samantha. How competent/warm/old do you think she is when you see her name?' Scientists used their results to assess which names were perceieved as being competent, warm, or a combination of the two.

Below are the results: Warm and competent names Ann, Anna, Caroline, Daniel, David, Elizabeth, Emily, Emma, Evelyn, Felicia, Grace, James, Jennifer, John, Jonathan, Julie, Kathleen, Madeline, Mark, Mary, Matthew, Michael, Michelle, Natalie, Nicholas, Noah, Olivia, Paul, Rachel, Samantha, Sarah, Sophia, Stephen, Susan, Thomas, William Warm but less competent names Hailey, Hannah, Jesse, Kellie, Melody, Mia Competent but less warm names Arnold, Gerard, Herbert, Howard, Lawrence, Norman, Reginald, Stuart Names of low warmth and competence Alvin, Brent, Bryce, Cheyenne, Colby, Crystal, Dana, Darrell, Devon, Dominic, Dominique, Duane, Erin, Larry, Leslie, Lonnie, Malachi, Marcia, Marco, Mercedes, Omar, Regina, Rex, Roy, Tracy, Trenton, Vicki, Whitney France Saudi Arabia Graphics Share or comment on this article: The surprising baby names that are BANNED around the world - including Linda e-mail Add comment Comments 0 Share what you think No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. Add your comment Enter your comment By posting your comment you agree to our house rules .

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