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Naming a child is a highly personal choice and can be a fun, exciting, and sometimes challenging experience for parents. While most countries allow parents to choose their child's name without much restriction, some countries have laws prohibiting certain names. In Australia, for example, the choice of a baby's name falls somewhere on a spectrum, with traditional or biblical names on one end and quirky, new, or made-up names on the other. But is it illegal to name your child Lucifer in Australia?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is it illegal to name your child Lucifer in Australia? | No clear answer; some sources claim it is banned, while others claim it is not. |
| Countries where Lucifer is illegal | New Zealand, the UK |
| Countries where similar names are illegal | Japan (Akuma) |
| Reasons for banning names in Australia | Religious monikers, potential for bullying or ridicule, causing offense, harming the child's well-being, contradictory to local culture or language |
| Examples of banned names in Australia | Spinach, Brother/Sister, President, Emperor, Lieutenant, Satan |
| Examples of allowed names in Australia | Garry, Brexton, Britley, Khaleesi |
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What You'll Learn
Naming laws in Australia
In Australia, each state has legislation that governs the registration of names. In Western Australia, for example, the Births, Deaths & Marriages Registration Act 1998 (WA) applies. While the registration of names is not something family lawyers deal with often, they may assist clients seeking to change a child's name or prevent the other parent from referring to the child by a name other than their legal name.
The Births, Deaths & Marriages Registration Act 1998 (WA) states that a child's name is a "matter of choice" for the person(s) lodging the birth registration. There is no requirement for a child to have the same surname as their parents or to have a surname at all. Parents must register their child's birth, which must include their name, within 60 days; otherwise, they will be subject to a fine of $1,000. There is an exchange policy that allows parents to change their child's name by submitting a form to the registry within the first 12 months. However, this can only be done once and with the consent of the other parent.
In Australia, certain names are prohibited due to their potential to cause embarrassment, bullying, or ridicule. Religious names like "Jesus" and "Bishop" are not allowed, as well as titles like "King", "Emperor", and "Lieutenant". Names that are too long, offensive, obscene, or contain symbols without phonetic significance are also banned. Names referencing public institutions or offices, containing official titles or ranks recognised in Australia, or likely to create confusion or offence are prohibited.
Some examples of names that are illegal in Australia include Spinach, Brother/Sister, and Robocop. Names that are allowed in Australia but banned in other countries include Garry, which is a common name in Australia but would be prohibited in Malaysia due to its similarity to the Cantonese phrase "Chow Tow", meaning "smelly head".
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Lucifer's meaning and history
In Roman folklore, Lucifer, meaning "light-bringer" in Latin, was the name of the planet Venus, which was often personified as a male figure bearing a torch. The Greek names for this planet were Phosphoros (also meaning "light-bringer") and Heosphoros (meaning "dawn-bringer"). Lucifer was said to be "the fabled son of Aurora and Cephalus, and father of Ceyx". In poetry, he was often presented as heralding the dawn. The Latin word corresponding to the Greek Phosphoros is Lucifer.
In Christian beliefs, Lucifer is the antagonist of God and is regarded as the name of Satan before his fall. Some sects of Satanism began to venerate Lucifer as a bringer of freedom, while other religious communities, such as the Gnostics and Freemasons, have been accused of worshipping Lucifer as their deity.
In Arabian legend, the planet Venus was once a beautiful woman who was transformed into a star as punishment for seducing two angels. Luciferianism is a belief structure that reveres Lucifer not as the Devil, but as a saviour, guardian, instructing spirit, or even the true god. In LaVeyan Satanism, Lucifer is described as one of the four crown princes of hell, particularly that of the East, the "lord of the air", and is called the bringer of light, the morning star, intellectualism, and enlightenment.
The name Lucifer has been banned as a baby name in Australia, along with other names such as Satan, Queen Victoria, and Thong. While there is no federal law prohibiting specific names, each Australian state has legislation that governs the registration of names.
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Other banned names in Australia
Australia has strict laws regarding baby names to protect children from names that could cause embarrassment, offence, or confusion. The Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 lays down the guidelines for naming children, ensuring that names are appropriate and respectful.
The first big no-no when it comes to naming a child in Australia is using an official title or rank across royal, political, religious, military, and judicial roles. This means no little Dukes, Prime Ministers, Gods, Commanders, Dalai Lamas, or Bishops. Religious names like "Jesus", "God", "Christ", "Satan", and "Lucifer" are also banned.
Names that are obscene or offensive are prohibited, including swear words, descriptions of violent or sexual acts, racial or cultural slurs, and alcohol or drug references. Banned names include "Panties", "Thong", "Virgin", "Snort", "Smelly", "Shhead", "Bonghead", and "Chow Tow", which means "smelly head" in Cantonese.
Names that exceed 50 characters, include numbers, symbols, or random punctuation, or are statements or phrases are also not allowed. For example, 'My Child is the Best' would likely be rejected.
Some other names that have been banned in Australia include "Scrotum", "MJ", "Fraise" (strawberry), "Anal", "Daemon", "Mini-Cooper", "Anomalie", "Leo-Pard", "Astérix", "Hades", "Joyeux" (Happy), "Bâbord", "Tribor", "Nutella", "G-Bang", "Robocop", "iMac", "Mister", and "Officer".
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Other countries where Lucifer is banned
In New Zealand, the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages must approve all names. From 2001 to 2013, six sets of parents tried to name their children Lucifer, but the name was deemed inappropriate and didn't make the cut. The name Lucifer was also banned in Switzerland and Germany, where it was deemed inappropriate.
In Japan, parents must choose a name written in official Japanese characters or kanji when registering their newborn babies, and the name Lucifer is not written in Japanese characters.
Malaysia bans names that are pejorative words, and Lucifer is a religious name that may fall under this category.
In Iceland, names must be written using the Icelandic alphabet and pronounced with proper Icelandic grammar. The name Lucifer is not written in the Icelandic alphabet and may be difficult to pronounce correctly in Icelandic.
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The process of registering a birth in Australia
While there is no federal law prohibiting the name "Lucifer" in Australia, some Australian states have banned the name. It is important to note that each state in Australia has its own legislation governing the registration of names. For instance, Western Australia's Births Deaths & Marriages Registration Act 1998 (WA) bans the name Lucifer.
Now, onto the process of registering a birth in Australia. The birth of a child must be registered with the relevant authority in the state or territory where the birth took place. This is a requirement by the births, deaths, and marriages registry in the respective state or territory. The hospital will provide a birth registration form, and there is no cost associated with registering the birth.
During the registration process, parents will be asked to provide certain information, including their own details, the relationship between the parents, and any previous children from either parent. Both parents are required to fill out their details separately, and it is mandatory for the birth to be registered within 60 days to avoid a fine.
After registering the birth, parents can apply for a birth certificate, which is an important identity document for the child. There is no requirement to obtain a birth certificate at the time of registration, and it can be ordered separately later. Official birth certificates serve as legal proof of identity, while commemorative birth certificates are decorative keepsakes that cannot be used for official purposes.
It is important to note that changes can be made to the birth record after registration. For instance, if parents wish to change the child's name or correct any mistakes on the register, separate processes are available. To make changes, parents may need to provide proof of identity and supporting evidence, and both parents' consent may be required.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Lucifer is banned in Australia. The name is considered problematic and potentially dangerous to the child later in life.
Some other names that are illegal in Australia include Spinach, President, Emperor, Lieutenant, Brother, Sister, Queen Victoria, Thong, Satan, and Robocop.
Names that are too long, offensive, obscene, or contain symbols without phonetic significance are not allowed. Names that reference public institutions or offices, contain official titles or ranks, or may create confusion or offense are also prohibited. Names that may insult or humiliate the child are not permitted.
