You can call your children what you like - as long as they're not named after Adolf Hitler, the Antichrist or anything likely to embarrass them in the playground.
Jack and Ella were last year's most popular names for new babies, but some parents believed names such as
Spiral Cicada, Cinderella Beauty Blossom, Fat Boy, Midnight Chardonnay or - for twins - Benson and Hedges were appropriate.
Internal Affairs spokesman Tony Wallace said unless names caused offence, were more than 100 characters long or used an official title, there was no reason not to register them.
"It's not for us to determine whether a name should or should not be registered because it's unusual or funny ... It's whether it's offensive to a reasonable person," he said.
A Family Court judge said a New Plymouth couple burdened their child with a "social disability and handicap" when they named her "Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii".
Judge Rob Murfitt ordered temporary court custody for the 9-year-old to ensure that a proper name was found for her.
The girl said she was so embarrassed that she had not revealed her name to any of her friends.
"She fears being mocked and teased, and in that she has a greater level of insight than either of her parents," said Judge Murfitt.
Children's Commissioner Cindy Kiro lamented the "ridiculous" lack of insight some parents had into the effect the wrong name could have on their children.
- ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY NZPA
