Choosing a name for your baby is one of life’s sweetest decisions—but in some parts of the world, it’s not entirely up to you. Around the globe, governments have stepped in to say “no way” to certain baby names, and the reasons are often bizarre, cultural, or downright hilarious. Imagine naming your baby “Fish and Chips” or “Nutella,” only to have your government slam the brakes on your creativity! From protecting children from teasing to preserving national language traditions, name bans are more common than you might think. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that names like Linda, Metallica, and even Apple didn’t make the cut in some places.
1. Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116 – Sweden
No, that’s not a keyboard smash. It’s a real name that two Swedish parents submitted in protest of Sweden’s naming laws back in 1996. Pronounced “Albin” (somehow), the 43-character name was intended to be a statement, not a serious moniker. But Swedish authorities weren’t amused and banned it outright. They’ve taken a strong stance against names that are too unconventional, difficult to pronounce, or could subject children to ridicule.
In Sweden, names must align with their naming law, which ensures names are not offensive, ridiculous, or harmful to the child. So while the parents might’ve made their point, their baby still ended up with a more traditional name. And yes, that’s one less future adult named after a broken barcode.
2. Metallica – Sweden
You might love heavy metal, but Sweden won’t let you name your child after it. One couple who were passionate fans of the band Metallica tried to give their daughter that name, only to have it blocked by government authorities. Why? Trademark issues and concerns about the name’s appropriateness.
Swedish courts have said that names resembling registered trademarks can’t be used, especially when it might confuse or mislead others. That said, fans of other metal bands got luckier—names like Mayhem, Gojira, and Opeth slid through the system. Apparently, some band names are just a bit more palatable (or less litigious) than others.
3. Fraise – France
The name Fraise might sound sweet—after all, it means “strawberry” in French—but it didn’t pass muster with the courts in France. Authorities rejected it, citing the idiomatic phrase “ramène ta fraise,” a slang term that translates roughly to “get your butt over here.” In short, the concern was that naming a child Fraise could make them a target for teasing or become the butt of jokes—literally.
France has a long history of regulating baby names to protect children from future embarrassment. Since 1993, French parents can technically choose any name they like, but local officials can step in if they believe the name is not in the child’s best interest.