These are the most-rejected baby names in New Zealand for 2018 ...

Publish Date: Tuesday, 15 January 2019, 2:23PM

Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs revealed last year's most declined baby names. Photo / Getty Images

If you're new to being a parent you'd probably assume that you have free reign when it comes to naming your kids - but that's not always the case.

Since 1995, legislation has provided a set of rules for New Zealanders where a name, or combination of names, should not cause offence, be unreasonably long (the maximum length allowed is 99 characters), or resemble an official title or rank.

And since 2018 has come to an end, the Department of Internal affairs has just released the list of baby names it declined last year - with a total of 66 names getting the boot.

Jeff Montgomery, registrar-general of births, death and marriages said: "The name of any baby born and registered in New Zealand must comply with New Zealand's rules - regardless of the nationality of the parents."

"For example, you'll need to rethink swear words, names of more than 70 characters, numerals or anything unpronounceable - like a backslash or a punctuation mark."

"There's no problem if you want to give your child a spelt-out number or even a silly name, but remember your child has to live with it," he said.

In 2018, there were over 18,000 unique first names registered for children.

Last year's top baby names were Oliver and Charlotte - the same as 2017; while Nikau and Mia were the top favourites for Māori baby names.

NAMES DECLINED IN 2018:

Allah: 1
Avaya-Royal: 1
Duke: 1
Emperor: 1
Emprah: 1
Gunner: 1
Heaven-Princezz-Star: 1
Hunter-Rhouge: 1
II: 2
III: 1
Jahstice: 1
Judge: 1
Jusdyce: 1
Justus: 1
Kiing: 1
King: 6
Kingdavid: 1
Kyro-King: 1
Lee-Royal: 1
Majestee-Honours: 1
Majesty: 1
Major: 1
Messiah: 2
Miss: 2
Prince: 4
Prince-Ryder: 1
Princess-Dixie-Rose: 1
Prinz: 1
Prynce: 1
Queen: 2
Rhoyal-Kahurangi: 1
Rogue: 1
Roil: 1
Royaale: 1
Royal: 6
Royale: 2
Royale-Bubz: 1
Royality: 1
Royalty: 3
Royelle: 1
Saint: 3
Sir: 1
Sire: 1
Zdiam-Bishop: 1

TOTAL: 66

Source: Department of Internal Affairs

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