Banned Name: Baby's Unique Name Gets Rejected and Changed by Court

Two new parents in Spain are currently in quite a “sticky situation” after the magistrate decided the chosen name for their daughter wasn’t appropriate. We’ve seen this happen a few times in the past with names like Lucifer and Commodore.

But, in this case, the little girl’s banned name is Hazia, which doesn’t seem overly terrible. You don’t hear the name every day and it flows off the tongue nicely.

So what’s the issue? Well, Hazia comes with the very unfortunate meaning of “semen” in Spain. Probably not something you want to be associated with your daughter.

Sorry, you can’t name your baby that.

When the parents went to register Hazia’s name, the magistrate rejected the request, claiming it was actually illegal. The name is part of a list of banned names in the country’s Civil Registration Act.

via GIPHY

The Civil Registry (Registro Civil) will reject any name that may be interpreted as having negative connotations, or that could affect the child’s dignity. So a name associated with semen – yes, that kind of makes sense that it was rejected.

Similarly, the law protects children from being called things like “Loco” (Crazy) or “Caca” (Poo) since this could make them the object of ridicule or even cause them psychological and physical harm.

Not semen. SEED

However, the parents fought back, explaining that they selected the name because it also means “seed”.

The magistrate didn’t really care. The magistrate denied the claim and changed the baby’s name to Zia instead, without consulting the parents. Which is a nice name as well – it means “light” and is a lovely choice.

Of course, Mum and Dad were furious. They want Hazia. Their seed. Their choice.

While navigating through this baby name battlefield, the parents also uncovered that there are actually 90 people in Spain with the name Hazia.

The Academy of the Basque Language, Euskaltzaindia, who was consulted before the ruling, claimed that this is likely due to variations in languages in different regions.

The parents are now able to contest the ruling via the General Directorate of the Civil Registry. Phew. What an ordeal!

Let’s hope baby Hazia is happy with their name choice! Personally, I probs would have stuck with Zia. Less spermy.

Top 10 cute names with unfortunate meanings

In addition to Hazia, here are a few other names that seem perfectly normal, until you find out the meaning behind them.

Lilith – “Night monster”
Kennedy – “Deformed head”
Lola – “Lady of sorrows”
Calvin – “Bald”
Brendan – “Stinking hair”
Mallory – “Unlucky”
Claudia – “Lame”
Huxley – “Inhospitable place”
Coriander – “Bed bug”
Byron – “Cowshed”

Banned names around the world

Every country has different names that they consider not appropriate. Spain is actually quite strict.

In addition to names like Hazia, you cannot name two siblings the same name and common surnames are also off-limits as are names that involve more than one middle name.

Fruits, veggies, and other objects are also off-limits, plus acronyms and brand names/famous cities.

Check out these 20 banned names that are illegal aound the world: