What does Adolf Hitler have in common with Twisty Poi? Answer: Both are examples of proposed baby names blocked by the New Zealand register of Births Deaths and Marriages, a family court judge revealed.

These names, were among a list of inappropriate monikers cited by the justice in ruling that a nine-year-old girl would be put into court guardianship so her name could be changed from Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii. (The Guardian 2008). The judge expressed “profound concern” at the “very poor judgement” of the child’s parents, saying that the name made a fool of the child and “sets her up with a social disability and handicap”.

Other names that have been overruled by the New Zealand registrar of Births Deaths and Marriages include: Stallion, Yeah Detroit, Fish and Chips (twins?), Keenan Got Lucy (or is it Lucky?), Sex Fruit, Fat Boy, Satan and 4Real.

The following names slipped through the legislative cracks: twins named Benson and Hedges (after a brand of Cigarettes), Midnight Chardonnay, Number 16 Bus Shelter and Violence.

One wonders about the state of mind that leads parents to acts of such absurd cruelty. While intoxication is often a factor during the conception of children, the filing of the birth certificate should be, one presumes, a relatively sober affair.

But while NZ tightens regulations around the naming of children, Sweden is letting its hair down. According to the Al Arabiya News Channel,  Swedish authorities have relaxed decades of regulation to allow parents to name their children after commercial brands such as Coca-Cola or McDonalds since there’s “nothing negative about them”.

Is this little island state of 4 million people unique in its apparent penchant for appallingly infelicitous baby names? Surely not.

If anyone out there in Wordpress land has any baby name horror stories from around the world—I’d like to hear about them.

Choosing a name for your child is a wonderful opportunity but it can be daunting. That’s why we developed Baby Name Brainstorm: an inspiring and fun way to explore your naming preferences and discover creative and unexpected name possibilities.