Most people think Australia keeps one official list of banned baby names. It doesn’t work like that.
There is no national blacklist. Each state and territory runs its own Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and each decides under its own Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act. A name is only knocked back if it breaks a set rule: it is obscene or offensive, it is too long, it uses symbols or numbers with no phonetic meaning, or it resembles an official title or rank.
So you have more freedom than the “89 banned names” headlines suggest. Here is what is actually restricted, the real examples, how to register your baby, and what to do if the registry says no.
Is there really an official list of banned names?
You have probably seen a list of “89 banned baby names” doing the rounds. It makes a great headline. It is also not what it looks like.
That list is a media compilation of names registries have refused over the years, not a published government blacklist you can look up. Bans work by criteria, applied case by case, not by ticking a name off a fixed register.
So what actually gets refused? A name is prohibited if it:
- is obscene or offensive
- is too long (more on the limits below)
- is made up of symbols or numbers with no phonetic meaning
- resembles an official title or rank
That last one catches people out. Titles like King, Prince, Bishop and Admiral have all been knocked back. So have brand names and names that are really just a statement. If a name could mislead, offend, or pass a child off as holding a rank they do not hold, expect a problem.
How long can a name be? Character limits by state
The rules vary by state and territory, so the limit depends on where your baby is born.
In New South Wales, a name cannot be more than 50 characters. In Victoria, the family name can be up to 38 characters and the given names up to 38 characters including spaces, with a maximum of five names in total and a hyphenated name counting as one (Victorian naming restrictions). Other states and territories set their own limits.
Here is how the two biggest states compare:
| New South Wales | Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum name length | 50 characters | 38 for the family name, 38 for the given names (including spaces) |
| Maximum number of names | Check with the registry | 5 (a hyphenated name counts as one) |
| If the registry says no | Review path varies | Apply to VCAT within 28 days |
Other states and territories have their own limits and review paths, so check your local Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages before you commit to a long or unusual name.
How to register your baby’s name
You register your baby’s name as part of registering the birth. In New South Wales you have 60 days to register a birth, using a birth registration statement, and it is never too late to register if you miss that window (register the birth of your baby, NSW).
The registry checks the name against the rules above at this point. Get it in early. If you are unsure whether a name will pass, that is the moment to find out, not after the birth certificate is printed.
What if the registry refuses the name?
If a registrar refuses a name, you can ask for the decision to be reviewed. In Victoria, you can apply to VCAT within 28 days of the registrar’s decision (reviewing a BDM decision, Vic). Other states and territories have their own review paths.
Most parents do not go down that road. They pick an acceptable alternative and move on. But the option is there if you think the refusal is wrong.
Whose surname can the child take?
A child can take either parent’s surname, a hyphenated version of both, or a combination. You are not locked into the father’s surname, and you are not locked into the mother’s. What matters is that the surname is recorded on the birth registration.
Changing a child’s name
Changing a child’s name after it has been registered is a separate process. In New South Wales it is an application to the registry under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995 (NSW), s 28.
That is straightforward when both parents agree. When they do not, the change cannot simply be lodged, and it can end up in court. If you are looking at a name change after separation, we cover the full process in our guide to changing a child’s name after divorce.
What happens when parents cannot agree on a name?
Here is the part the listicles never cover: what if you and your co-parent cannot agree?
This is where naming stops being a personal choice and becomes a legal question. Naming a child is a major long-term decision, and if you and your co-parent cannot agree, the dispute can be taken to court. If it stays deadlocked, the Federal Circuit and Family Court can decide, on one test: the best interests of the child.
A well-known case shows how this plays out. A father wanted to name his son after the Star Wars character Darth Vader. The mother would not agree, and it reached the Family Court of Australia. (Family naming and parenting disputes are now heard by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the court created when the two former courts merged on 1 September 2021, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.) Justice William Johnston noted that “the question of what name the child would be given by the parents had caused considerable difficulty between the parties”.
The court did not pick a favourite parent. It worked out what served the child, and added a middle name honouring the father’s heritage.
If you are stuck on a name with your co-parent, that is a parenting disputes issue, and it is worth getting advice before it ends up in court.
How culture and heritage come into the decision
Culture and family heritage are not an afterthought here. When a name is contested, a registry and a court can weigh cultural, family and heritage factors as part of what is in the child’s best interests.
The Vader case is the clearest example. The court added a middle name honouring the father’s heritage precisely so the child would keep a meaningful connection with his father, his paternal family, and his background and culture. A name that carries real cultural or family meaning is a point worth making clearly, not glossing over.
The short version
There is no secret government list. Pick a name that is not offensive, is not a title, fits the character limit, and reads as an actual name, and you will almost never have a problem. Where it gets complicated is when two parents cannot agree, or when you want to change a child’s name later.
If that is you, do not let it drift. Me and my team help parents sort out naming and name-change disputes, and the earlier you get clear advice, the more say you have in the outcome. Book a free discovery call on 1300 614 732.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the child naming laws in Australia?
There is no single national law and no official list of banned names. Each state and territory registry decides under its own Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act. A name is refused only if it is obscene or offensive, too long, made of symbols or numbers, or resembles an official title or rank.
Is there an official list of banned baby names in Australia?
No. The “89 banned names” lists you see online are media compilations of names registries have refused over time, not a published government blacklist. Registries apply set criteria case by case, so there is no fixed register you can check a name against.
How many characters can a baby's name be in Australia?
It depends on the state. In New South Wales a name cannot exceed 50 characters. In Victoria the family name can be up to 38 characters and the given names up to 38 characters including spaces, with a maximum of five names. Other states set their own limits.
How long do I have to register my baby's name in Australia?
In New South Wales you have 60 days to register a birth, using a birth registration statement. If you miss that window, it is never too late to register. Registration timeframes and forms vary in other states and territories, so check your local registry.
What happens if the registry refuses my baby's name?
You can ask for the decision to be reviewed. In Victoria you apply to VCAT within 28 days of the registrar’s decision, and other states have their own review paths. In practice, most parents choose an acceptable alternative rather than pursue a review.
Can I change my child's name if the other parent disagrees?
Not on your own. When both parents share responsibility for major decisions and cannot agree, the name change cannot simply be lodged. The Federal Circuit and Family Court can decide the question, and it decides on the best interests of the child.
