A British couple triumphed in a struggle to name their newborn son a name deemed "forbidden" in the country.
However, this victory also means that their son will bear a rather unconventional name for his entire life.
Embarking on the journey of parenthood brings with it a flurry of responsibilities, from ensuring the baby's well-being to making crucial decisions, such as naming them. This particular UK-based couple, Dan and Mandy Sheldon, had a clear vision for their son's name, but faced strong opposition from the registrar.
As per their interview with The Sun, following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, the couple went to register their four-month-old son. However, they encountered disdain from the registrar. Dan recounted, "We were really excited to go and get him registered but the woman looked at us in utter disgust. She told us he would never be able to get a job, and that teachers wouldn’t want to teach him."
Check out what the parents had to say:So, what was the controversial name they chose? The parents wished to name their son Lucifer, a name often associated with the devil. "I tried to explain that we are not religious people, and Lucifer in Greek means ‘light-bringer’ and ‘morning’ but she wouldn’t listen," Dan stated.
The registrar suggested an alternative approach - naming the child something different but calling him Lucifer at home. She noted that the name Lucifer is deemed illegal in New Zealand, for instance. The moniker, linked to the devil's angelic name before his fall from grace in Christian theology, is prohibited in many Christian-majority countries, including Germany and Switzerland.
As the UK's stance on this name was unclear, the couple was asked to leave while the matter was investigated. Dan expressed their surprise over the registrar's reaction, saying, "We were gobsmacked with her behavior." However, despite initial resistance, they ultimately prevailed. Dan added, "Eventually she did it, but it was through gritted teeth."
Despite the controversy, the couple maintains their belief in the uniqueness of the name Lucifer. "Honestly, we just thought it was a nice name... a unique one. We didn’t expect to get so much grief about it," said Dan. While Lucifer carries negative connotations, it also signifies the "morning star" and "bearer of light."
Derbyshire County Council, addressing the incident, said, "We apologize if they were offended but it is the job of our registrars to advise in these matters as sometimes people are not aware of certain meanings or associations around certain names."
Now, we can only hope that young Lucifer Sheldon embraces his unusual name as he grows up!