A couple have won the fight to name their baby a ‘banned name’ after the registrar tried to stop them.
Having a child is an important moment in anyone’s life, but it also comes with a ton of responsibility you need to prepare for.
One of these is naming your child, as this is likely going to stick with them for life.
Naming a child requires time and consideration, as you don’t want to make any blunders.
For one couple who were set on their baby’s name, they found they almost couldn’t use it.
Dan and Lucifer Sheldon.
The baby name has divided social media users. Credit: ITV
People have been divided on the controversial name choice – some say they don’t see the fuss.
Defending the parents, one person writes: “It’s beautiful.”
Another adds: “Coolest name ever.”
“I love that name,” a third shares.
However, others have taken to the comments and called out the parents.
“Just because you like something doesn’t mean that’s what is best for your child. That was a selfish move on the parents’ part, in my opinion,” one person pens.
In agreement, a second says: “Why on earth would they give their son this name! They have obviously never given a thought to what he will go through.”
Dan and Mandy Sheldon welcomed their son into the world and four months later, went to register his name.
Lucifer Sheldon
The couple claim the registrar gave them a look of ‘utter disgust’ after they revealed their chosen baby name. Credit: ITV
The couple told The Sun how they were ‘excited’ to get him registered. Yet they were met with looks of ‘utter disgust’ when the couple revealed their intended name for him.
Despite insisting on the name, the couple were slammed by the registrar and subject to some harsh remarks.
Dan claims: “She told us he would never be able to get a job, and that teachers wouldn’t want to teach him.”
Ezoic
Ezoic
The dad explained that neither he nor Mandy is religious and that the name in Greek means ‘light-bringer’ and ‘morning.’
This fell on deaf ears, and the couple were told that the name was illegal in several countries, such as New Zealand, while being deemed inappropriate in countries like Germany and Switzerland. However, it is not banned in the U.K.
Dan and Lucifer Sheldon.
The couple ‘didn’t expect to get so much grief about it.’ Credit: ITV
The registrar asked them to leave the room as she checked for herself.
“We were gobsmacked with her behavior,” Dan said. “Eventually she did it, but it was through gritted teeth. Honestly, we just thought it was a nice name… a unique one.
“We didn’t expect to get so much grief about it.”
This incident has caught the attention of Derbyshire County Council, which has apologized for the incident.
Their statement, via The Sun, reads: “We apologize if they were offended, but it is the job of our registrars to advise in these matters as sometimes people are not aware of certain meanings or associations around certain names.”
Dan and Lucifer Sheldon.
The parents named their child Lucifer, which is associated with the figure of Satan, the fallen angel. Credit: ITV
The couple wanted to name their child Lucifer, which is the name that was given to the devil when he was an angel before he fell from heaven and ended up in hell.
In more modern versions of the Bible, Lucifer goes by Satan.
Appearing on This Morning alongside baby Lucifer, Dan reiterated that he can understand why people would look at the Christian meaning of the name, but that they chose the Greek meaning.
“It depends which part of history you look at,” he said.
The U.K. does not have laws banning specific names; however, those that contain obscenities or numerals can be rejected by a registrar, reports The Independent.
The publication elaborates: “New Zealand, which has tougher restrictions on naming children, had Lucifer on a list of banned names published in 2013, along with ‘Christ’ and royal titles such as ‘King,’ ‘Prince’ and Princess.’”
