10 Baby Names Banned in France for Being “Against the Child’s Interest” but Permitted Elsewhere

A recent INSEE report reveals France’s population exceeds 68 million, highlighting the diversity of unique first names. To protect children from potential difficulties associated with unusual names, legal restrictions have been established. Names linked to negative connotations, such as Lucifer and Jihad, are often prohibited, while whimsical names like Fraise and Nutella also face bans. Additionally, some name-surname combinations can lead to humor or ridicule, prompting civil registries to reject certain choices, such as twins named Babord and Tribord.

According to the latest report by INSEE published in January 2025, France is home to over 68,606,000 residents. With such a diverse population, it’s no surprise that some individuals bear uniquely interesting first names. Each person carries a name chosen by their parents or guardians, and while some may opt for a name change, others must come to terms with their parents’ decisions. To spare children from the potential hardships of having an unorthodox name, legal measures have been put in place to restrict certain choices.

Prohibited Names for the Child’s Well-Being

Some names carry meanings that are difficult to overlook. Allowing a child to be named something potentially burdensome can lead to challenges in their future. For instance, names with religious implications are often not accepted at various town halls. A notable example is Lucifer, which, despite meaning ‘the one who brings light‘, is heavily associated with malevolence in Christian contexts. Similarly, the name Hades, referring to the Greek God of the Underworld, faced rejection in Saint-Malo, although it was given 12 times in 2022. Furthermore, the name Jihad was not permitted due to its ties to terrorism.

In a lighter vein, the name Fraise was also prohibited in Valenciennes, a city known for banning many creative names. This playful fruity name might lead to unwanted associations. On a related note, the name Framboise, which means raspberry, was granted 18 times according to Parents.fr, a site that compiles names based on INSEE statistics. The name Nutella was similarly banned in Valenciennes back in 2014. If parents are considering a whimsical name for their child, it might be prudent to choose a different locale. For instance, the name Griezmann Mbappé was rejected in 2018 in Corrèze, although it could have been accepted in Latin America three years later.

Names with Contextual Challenges

The platform Parents.fr provides guidance on selecting names that harmonize well with surnames to avoid awkward pronunciations. For example, the name Anna would clash with the surname Nadeau due to the repetitive sounds. In some cases, however, the combination of name and surname can inadvertently become a source of humor. Take for instance the case of little Mégane, whose name was rejected because of her surname, Renault. The pairing of Renault Mégane could certainly lead to chuckles during school days.

Name pairings can be quite entertaining, yet civil registries sometimes find the humor to be inappropriate. Such was the case for twins Babord and Tribord, who were not allowed their nautical-themed names in a Brittany town. The sea-loving Breton parents couldn’t bestow their passion upon their children. Similarly, the names Joyeux and Patriste took a trip to the Court of Appeal in Montpellier to contest their case. Lastly, the name Titeuf stirred significant debate back in 2012, ultimately leading to its ban and garnering coverage in television news.

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