Lifestyle
Australia’s 2025 Banned Baby Names Revealed: 89 Choices Rejected
Sydney, June 15, 2025 – Australia’s state Registries of Births, Deaths, and Marriages have unveiled a consolidated list of 89 banned baby names for 2025, cracking down on royal titles, offensive terms, and quirky puns to protect children from harm. From “Prince” to “Anal,” these prohibited names are sparking debate nationwide. Here’s the rundown and why it’s making headlines.
The 2025 List Unveiled
The updated list, compiled from state registries like Victoria’s Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM), bans 89 names under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Acts, per a NSW Government statement. “Names must not mislead or offend,” said a BDM Victoria spokesperson, per their 2025 naming policy. Rejected names include “Prince,” deemed misleading for non-royals, and “Anal,” attempted in 2024 but flagged as offensive, per a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) ruling. The list, revised every three years, reflects evolving community standards, per the NSW Registry.
What’s Banned and Why
Victoria’s BDM prohibits names that resemble titles (e.g., “King,” “Queen”), are obscene (e.g., “Anal”), or include symbols (e.g., “@Symbol”), per the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996. “Messiah” was rejected for religious sensitivity, while “Taliban” was banned for terror associations, per a 2025 VCAT decision. Puns like “Fanny,” vulgar in Australian slang, and “Methamphetamine Rules,” attempted by Breaking Bad fans, were also nixed, per NSW Government records. “We consider cultural context and public perception,” the NSW Registry noted, per their naming policy.
Naming Laws Explained
Australian naming laws prioritize child welfare, per BDM Victoria. Names must not exceed 50 characters for surnames and first names, including spaces, and only hyphens and apostrophes are allowed, per the NSW Government. Numbers (e.g., “007”) and brand names (e.g., “Google”) are prohibited to avoid confusion, per Victoria’s 2025 guidelines. Parents must register births within 60 days, and registries review names in 3–5 business days, per Services Australia. If a name is rejected, parents receive a warning and alternatives; persistent violations may lead to registrar-assigned names, per the NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995.
Public and Global Reactions
The banned list has stirred chatter, with social media posts tracked via @NSWGov praising the safeguards. “No kid should be named ‘Taliban’,” one user wrote, per @BDM_Vic. Globally, New Zealand bans “Lucifer,” while Iceland restricts names to an approved list, per a 2025 Services Australia note. The US, by contrast, allows names like “ABCDE,” highlighting Australia’s stricter stance, per NSW Government comparisons. “Our laws protect kids from lifelong embarrassment,” said a VCAT official, per a 2025 statement.
Why It Matters
The 2025 list underscores Australia’s commitment to balancing parental creativity with child welfare, per BDM Victoria. High-profile cases, like a 2023 attempt to name a child “Methamphetamine Rules” in NSW, exposed registry gaps, prompting tighter checks, per the NSW Government. The bans also reflect cultural shifts, with “Fanny” now deemed inappropriate despite its UK usage, per VCAT. Posts on social media, like “No ‘Prince’ unless you’re royalty,” show public support, per @ServicesAus.
What’s Next?
Parents facing rejections can appeal to VCAT within 28 days, per BDM Victoria’s 2025 policy. Registries are exploring AI to streamline name reviews, per a NSW Government pilot. For now, the 89 banned names, from royal pretensions to crude puns, ensure Australia’s newborns start life with dignity, not controversy.