Most parents never have to worry about the name they choose for their baby being rejected. In many countries, however, rules exist to prevent children from being given names that authorities consider offensive, harmful, misleading, or likely to expose them to ridicule.
Such restrictions are intended to protect children, who have no influence over the names selected for them. While adults may legally change their names later in life, children must often live for years with decisions made by their parents. In most cases, this never becomes an issue because families choose familiar or widely accepted names.
Occasionally, however, parents select something so unusual or controversial that officials question whether it should be approved.
That was the situation faced by British parents Dan and Mandy Sheldon when they attempted to register the name they had chosen for their newborn son.
The couple had decided to name their baby Lucifer, a choice that reportedly caused an uncomfortable reaction from the registrar handling the paperwork.
Because their son was born during the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions meant the parents had to wait until he was four months old before formally registering his birth. When they were finally able to attend the appointment, they expected the process to be straightforward.
Instead, Dan said the registrar looked at them with obvious disapproval.
“We were really excited to go and get him registered but the woman looked at us in utter disgust. She told us he would never be able to get a job, and that teachers wouldn’t want to teach him.” Continue Reading ⬇️