How baby names became a legal problem in Australia

When it comes to naming a newborn, Australian parents have plenty of freedom, but there are still some firm lines they cannot cross.

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A new list of 89 banned baby names has been released, showing just how serious—and sometimes unexpected—the restrictions on names can be.

While many of the banned names are what you'd expect, like swear words or high-ranking official titles, others might surprise you. Fancy naming your baby "Facebook"? That's a no. How about "Cyanide" or "Ned Kelly"? Also off-limits.

WHY CERTAIN NAMES ARE BANNED

Each state and territory in Australia has its Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act, but the overall guidelines are fairly consistent nationwide. According to these rules, a name will not be approved if it:

• Is considered offensive or obscene
• Resembles an official title or rank
• It is too long or hard to process
• Includes symbols, numbers, and punctuation marks