Baby Name Rejected for Being Too ‘Offensive’

A baby name that’s also a slang term for female anatomy? That’s a hard no — at least in New Zealand.

Officials in the island nation are once again making headlines after releasing a list of baby names banned in 2024 — and the reasons behind the rejections are raising eyebrows worldwide, especially among progressive advocates of free expression and parental rights.

According to data released by New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs, 40 names were blocked last year for violating national naming laws — including one that authorities found “offensive” due to its explicit sexual slang meaning: Fanny.

The name, commonly used in British and New Zealand slang to refer to female genitalia, was quickly flagged and rejected — not for the first time. It also appeared on 2023’s list of prohibited names.

But Fanny wasn’t alone.

Officials also turned down Indica and Sativa — both names tied to cannabis strains — citing concern that associating newborns with drugs could pose social challenges or legal misunderstandings later in life.

“We continue to urge parents to think carefully about names. Names are a gift,” a spokesperson from the department said. “Generally, the name registered will be with the individual for the rest of their lives.”

Royal Titles, Religious Ranks, and Bizarre Spellings Also Get the Axe

In addition to “Fanny” and cannabis-related names, authorities cracked down on an ongoing trend: parents naming their children after royalty and religious figures.

The name King was the most commonly rejected name of 2024, blocked 11 separate times. Prince and Princess weren’t far behind — and even creatively altered spellings like Prynce, Pryncess, Prinz, and Kyng didn’t slip through the cracks.

Other royal or religious names deemed inappropriate included Queen, Messiah, Emperor, Sovereign, Allah, and Bishop.

“We assess each proposed name on several factors,” the department stated. “Does it resemble a title or rank? Could it cause offense or undue hardship? Would it make the person vulnerable to ridicule?”

Also on the chopping block: names that included special characters or symbols — like a single name with a backtick (`) instead of a surname — or combinations too long or bizarrely spelled to meet registration criteria.

A Cultural Clash Over Identity

While some see the restrictions as common-sense guardrails, others argue they reflect a growing tension between governmental authority and parental freedom.

“I get that you don’t want a kid growing up being bullied for a name like ‘General’ or ‘Crownos’,” said Dr. Tanya Washington, a U.S.-based sociologist specializing in names and identity. “But who decides what’s offensive? Language and culture evolve. What’s taboo today may be mainstream tomorrow.”

Indeed, American parents have long pushed the envelope on baby names — from Apple to North West — with the U.S. allowing far more leniency in naming conventions than many countries abroad.

Still, some Democrats say New Zealand’s approach, while strict, isn’t entirely without merit.

“We’re entering an era where misinformation, disinformation, and digital tracking intersect with identity in powerful ways,” said privacy advocate and child rights attorney Dana Strauss. “While we should protect parents’ rights, we should also be thoughtful about the names children are saddled with before they can even speak.”

Name Trends Reflect Broader Social Shifts

The rise in unique names — and their rejection — comes amid a global trend away from traditional monikers. According to Australia’s McCrindle 2025 Baby Names Report, names like Michael and Charles are rapidly falling out of favor, while shortened or altered versions like Leo, Frankie, and Tommy are on the rise.

This shift reflects what experts say is a cultural desire for individuality and differentiation — a trend particularly strong among Millennial and Gen Z parents.

“We found a clear generational divide,” said Ashley Fell, director of advisory at McCrindle. “Younger parents are choosing names that break away from tradition and often use nicknames or unusual spellings to make their child stand out.”

In the U.S., that might mean little girls named Nova or Juniper, and boys named Zion or Atlas. But in New Zealand, it means walking a legal tightrope.

The Full List of Banned Names in NZ (2024)

Among the names rejected:

• King (11 times)
• Prince (10 times)
• Princess (4 times)
• Sativa (3 times)
• Fanny (1 time)
• Messiah, Duke, Emperor, Allah, General, Justice, Majesty, Queen, Saint, and others.

In total, New Zealand saw 59,199 births and 19,404 unique names in 2024. While the vast majority of names are accepted, about 71 required revisions after initial rejection.

So what’s in a name?

As one New Zealand official put it: “It’s a first impression, a lifelong tag — and for some, it’s the start of a story. Make it one they can be proud of.”

Would you support name restrictions like this in the U.S.?