Baby names can take inspiration from almost anywhere, from family history and geography to literature, music, and pop culture. But some parents are turning to a more unexpected source: weapons.
Sophie Kihm, editor-in-chief of Nameberry, told HuffPost on August 15 that there is “a small but noticeable trend of parents using weapons-inspired—and, more broadly, aggressive—names for their sons.” She noted that names including Wesson, Caliber, Shooter, and Trigger first appeared on baby name charts in the 2000s.
The trend has raised concerns among naming experts. Kihm said, “It’s rare for me to outright reject a name or name trend, but I cannot get behind weapon-inspired names. They glamorize violence and, particularly in the wake of so much violence in the US, feel out of touch.”
So, what's in a name? A lot, apparently. So much so that in some countries there are a number of names that are not allowed. In this gallery, we bring you some of the most famous examples of names that were banned around the world. Click on to get to know them.