Naming Children: England and Wales, 2013

Today the Office of National Statistics published its statistical bulletin Baby Names in England and Wales, 2013, and although its key findings are not of particular relevance for this blog[1], the naming of children is of importance in secular and ecclesiastical law.

Secular Restrictions

Earlier posts have noted that some administrations place restrictions on permissible names. However, this is not so in the UK which operates a relatively relaxed regime.  Responding to a FoI request in 2008, the General Register Office stated:

“Registrations of births in England and Wales are made under the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 and the Registration of Births and Deaths Regulations 1987. The legislation does not set out any guidance on what parents may name their child. Continue reading