NZ’s rejected baby names

Your baby will never be Royal. It is against the law. That kind of name is banned, under the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Act.

The registrar-general has ruled Royal and 43 other names could not be used, in 2018.

While the most popular names of 2018 were Oliver, Charlotte, Mia and Nikau, the most popular but disallowed names were Royal and King.

The registrar-general was responsible for reviewing potentially inappropriate or illegal names. In 2018, they declined 66 names.

A spokeswoman for the registrar-general said names could be declined if they were deemed offensive or resembled a rank or title that the baby did not hold.

‘‘Of the nearly 60,000 babies born in New Zealand each year, less than 1 per cent of babies have their name personally considered by the registrar-general,’’ the spokeswoman said.

Names that had been blocked in 2018 included military titles, roman numerals and religious names.

The registrar-general declined Allah, Messiah and Saint.

Names and titles relating to the monarchy were commonly declined.

Avaya-Royal, Princess-DixieRose, Kingdavid and Royale-Bubz were all declined as named in 2018.

A large number of royal-esque names with alterative spellings featured in the list of declined names for the year.

Emprah, Heaven-Princezz-Star, Royelle, Royality, Rhoyal-Kahurangi and Majestee-Honours were among names declined which related to the royal family.

The Department of Internal Affairs, which managed births, deaths and marriages, said families had the chance to argue their case for names which came under review.