http://www.deedpoll.net/
Although there are no laws in the United Kingdom relating to unsuitable names, there are restrictions we impose on what you can change your name to.
We will not accept an order for a Deed Poll for a name that:
is impossible to pronounce,
includes numbers or symbols,
includes punctuation marks - although you can have a hyphen to link forenames or surnames (for example, if you want a double-barrelled surname) and an apostrophe in the case of surnames like O'Brien.
we consider vulgar, offensive, blasphemous or unsuitable,
may result in others believing you have a conferred or inherited honour, title or rank, for example, a change of first name to Sir, Lord, Lady, Prince, Princess, Baron, Baroness, Count, Countess, General, Colonel etc.,
does not include at least one forename and one surname.
Other than the above restrictions, you can change your forenames, surname (or both), add names, remove names or rearrange your existing names. You can change your name at any time and for any reason provided it is not for deceptive or fraudulent purposes or for the avoidance of an obligation.
Copyright and trade mark protection of names
There is no copyright or trade mark protection for people's names. Therefore, if you want to call yourself Elton John for everyday use, you can. However, you cannot use your new name if it results in passing-off or deception. For example, if you changed your name to Elton John and you published music and/or lyrics in that name, you will probably find yourself subject to trade mark infringement legal action by the artist Elton John on the grounds that you are passing yourself off as him.
Fun names
Some people like the idea of having what we call a fun name. We have issued Deed Polls for fun names such as Jellyfish McSaveloy, Toasted T Cake, Nineteen Sixty-Eight, Hong Kong Phooey, Father Christmas, One-One-Eight Taxi, Ting A Ling, Huggy Bear, Donald Duck, Jojo Magicspacemonkey and James Bond.
If you are considering a fun name and belong to a professional body, you should check to ensure there will be no problems registering your new name with them.
We reserve the right to refuse an application for a fun name from a person who is under 18 years of age.
Last updated: 29 December 2005
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Lord, what fools these mortals be!
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act III, Scene ii
Voltaire said: "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."
H.L.Mencken wrote:"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.â€
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein