Lyla Lindsey
Australia has a long list of banned baby names, and Commodore is one of them. Commodore is the title given to a high-ranking naval officer, and it is also the name of a car model by General Motors in Australia. In 2022, an Australian woman named her son Holden Commodore and was later asked to change it due to Commodore being a banned name.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for "Commodore" being an illegal name in Australia | Commodore is the title given to a high-ranking naval officer and is considered an official title or rank. |
| Other banned names in Australia | Admiral, Baron, Cadet, Captain, Chief, Corporal, Duke, Emperor, General, Lady, Madam, Major, President, Prime Minister, King, Prince, Australia, Nutella, @, Harry Potter, Facebook, iMac, Ikea, Marijuana, Monkey, Mister, Officer |
| Other reasons for names being banned in Australia | To protect children against careless and harmful names that could humiliate, offend or intimidate the child |
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What You'll Learn
Commodore is a high-ranking naval officer title
In Australia, Commodore is an illegal name for a baby. This is because it is a title given to a high-ranking naval officer. The country has strict naming laws that prohibit titles or ranks as part of a baby's name. The law was passed in 1995 to prevent babies from being named after official titles. This includes titles such as Admiral, Baron, Cadet, Captain, Chief, Corporal, Duke, Emperor, General, Lady, Madam, Major, President, and Prime Minister.
The name Commodore is also the name of a car model by General Motors, a car manufacturer in Australia. This adds another layer to the controversy of the name, as it could be seen as naming a child after a car.
Isabella Veronica Hayes, an Australian mother, wanted to initially name her baby Commodore but learned that it was illegal. She instead added the name Holden before it, calling her son Holden Commodore. She said she did not regret the decision and believed that her son's name suited him perfectly.
The Victorian State Government has issued a list of banned baby names, which includes Commodore. Other names on the list that are related to titles or ranks include Lieutenant, President, Prime Minister, Corporal, and Captain. The state government's intentions are likely related more to preventing the use of titles rather than vehicles, as other car-related names such as Holden and General are also on the list.
While some people may find the name Commodore unique or "cool", it is important to follow the naming laws and guidelines in place to protect children from careless or harmful names that could humiliate, offend, or intimidate them.
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It's also the name of a car model
The name Commodore is banned in Australia, partly because it is the name of a car model. The Holden Commodore was introduced in October 1978 by the Australian manufacturer Holden. It was designed to replace the full-size and less fuel-efficient HZ Kingswood. The first three generations of Holden Commodores were based on the Opel-designed V-body rear-wheel-drive automotive platform. The name "Commodore" was adopted from Opel, who had been using the name since 1967.
The Holden Commodore was manufactured from 1978 to 2017 in Australia and from 1979 to 1990 in New Zealand. Over the years, there have been various iterations of the Holden Commodore, including the Commodore L, Commodore SL, Commodore SL/E, and Commodore SL/X. The car was known for its fuel efficiency, modern trim, and improved steering and handling.
The popularity of the Holden Commodore led to the development of different body shell variants, such as the Monaro, tray-back, and four-door utilities, as well as station wagon variants. The model was refreshed in 2000, and by 2002, Commodores were available in various models, including the Berlina, Executive, Acclaim, S, SV8, SS, and Calais.
The Holden Commodore (VF) was produced between June 2013 and October 2017 and was the last significantly restyled iteration of the fourth and final generation of the car. It featured improvements such as a new, more powerful engine, LED taillights, and updated front bumper and running lights. The VF Commodore was built on an altered version of the Holden-designed GM Zeta platform, first used in the VE Commodore.
The Commodore name joins a list of over 80 baby names that are banned in Australia. Many of these names are official titles or ranks, such as Admiral, Baron, Captain, General, and President. The law prohibiting the use of titles as part of baby names was passed in 1995.
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Naming laws in Australia ban titles and ranks
Australia has strict naming laws that ban titles and ranks from being used as names. This includes names such as Commodore, which is the title given to a high-ranking naval officer. The name Commodore has been banned for at least 18 years, but an Australian mother named her son Holden Commodore, adding Holden before it to get around the ban. The name Holden Commodore is also the name of a car built in Australia between 1978 and 2017, which gave rise to many jokes on TikTok.
Other names banned in Australia due to their association with titles or ranks include Admiral, Baron, Cadet, Captain, Chief, Corporal, Duke, Emperor, General, Lady, Madam, Major, President, and Prime Minister. The name Duke, for example, is banned in some Australian states as it "sounds like a title". The name Commodore is likely banned for similar reasons, as it is a title of high respect and importance in the Navy.
The naming laws in Australia also ban names that are brand names or symbols, such as Nutella, @, Harry Potter, Facebook, iMac, Ikea, Marijuana, and Monkey. These names are banned to protect children from being given careless and harmful names that could humiliate, offend, or intimidate them. While some parents may see these names as unique and original, the potential negative consequences for the child must be considered.
In addition to titles and ranks, religious categories are also a grey area when it comes to naming laws in Australia. While there are no specific examples of banned religious names in Australia, other countries have banned religious names to prevent undue harm. For instance, Switzerland has banned the name Judas as it is considered harmful.
It is important for parents in Australia to be aware of the banned names before choosing a name for their child. While it may be tempting to choose a unique or creative name, the potential consequences for the child must be considered. A name that is intended to be cool or unique could instead cause embarrassment or bullying for the child as they grow up.
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Over 80 names are banned in Australia
Naming a child is a significant decision, as a person carries their name with them throughout their life. It is used daily by them, their family, friends, and the wider community. It is also essential for legal identity documents, such as a passport or driver's license, and helps access various services. Recognizing the important role names play, Australia has strict naming laws, and over 80 names are banned in the country.
The first type of name that is prohibited includes official titles or ranks across royal, political, religious, military, and judicial roles. This means names like Admiral, Baron, Cadet, Captain, Chief, Corporal, Duke, Emperor, General, Lady, Madam, Major, President, and Prime Minister are banned. The name Commodore falls under this category, as it is a naval rank. In 2025, an Australian woman was forced to change her son's name from Holden Commodore, despite knowing Commodore had been a banned name for 18 years.
Other names prohibited in Australia include those that are obscene or offensive, such as swear words, descriptions of violent or sexual acts, racial or cultural slurs, or drug references. For instance, the names Smellie and Marjuania are banned. Additionally, names that exceed 50 characters, include numbers, symbols, or random punctuation, or are statements or phrases are also prohibited.
Some other unique names that have been banned in Australia include MJ, Fraise (French for strawberry), Lucifer, Astérix, Hades, Joyeux (French for happy), Bâbord & Tribor, and Mégane (for families with the last name Renault, as it is a famous car model in France). Brand names like Nutella, Harry Potter, Facebook, iMac, and Marijuana are also banned.
While Australia's banned name list is extensive, it is not the only country with naming restrictions. New Zealand and Iceland, for example, have also rejected names like "4Real," "Queen Victoria," and "Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116" (pronounced "Albin").
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Other banned names include Nutella and Ikea
Australia has a long list of banned baby names, with over 80 monikers prohibited nationwide. The country's naming laws are designed to protect children from names that could cause embarrassment, offence, or confusion.
Other banned names include Nutella, Ikea, and a host of other brand names such as Facebook, Harry Potter, and iMac. These names are likely prohibited due to their trademarked status and to prevent potential confusion and ridicule.
Some other interesting banned names in Australia include Duke, Queen, Judge, Prime Minister, God, Jesus Christ, and Satan. These names are likely banned due to their religious or official connotations, which could be seen as inappropriate for a child to hold.
In addition to religious and official titles, Australia also bans names that are considered obscene, offensive, or misleading. This includes names like Scrotum, Bonghead, and Shithead, which are likely prohibited for their crude and offensive nature.
It's worth noting that each Australian state and territory has its own Births, Deaths, and Marriages Registration Act, so the specific laws and banned names may vary slightly across the country. However, the core principles of protecting children from harmful and humiliating names remain consistent.
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Frequently asked questions
Commodore is a banned name in Australia as it is the title given to a high-ranking naval officer. Titles and religious categories are considered grey areas when it comes to naming laws in Australia.
An Australian woman named her son Holden Commodore. She was aware that Commodore was a banned name but she had to change her son's name due to a law change.
There are over 80 baby names banned in Australia. Some of these include official titles or ranks such as Admiral, Baron, Captain, Emperor, King, Madam, President, and Prime Minister. Other banned names include brand names or symbols like Nutella, Facebook, Harry Potter, and Marijuana.
Australia bans certain baby names to protect children against names that could humiliate, offend, or intimidate them.
Yes, other countries such as New Zealand, Iceland, Malaysia, Germany, and Switzerland also ban certain baby names. For example, Germany's authorities reject names that are popular surnames in the country, and Switzerland prohibits religious names that may cause "undue harm".
