Saudi Arabia is known for its strict rules, and the interior ministry of the country has now reportedly banned 50 names that they believe to be inappropriate and hurting the Kingdom's cultural or religious sentiments.
Saudi media reports that with the declaration of the new law, parents are no longer allowed to call their kids the names, which are considered blasphemous, non-Arabic or non-Islamic.
Names with royal connotations, such as Sumuw (highness), Malek (king) and Malika (queen) are also now forbidden in the country.
Meanwhile, even though Binyamin (Arabic for Benjamin) is believed to be the son of Prophet Jacob, the name is also included in the banned list as Benjamin Netanyahu is the Israel Prime Minister. Saudi has banned the name due to the ongoing tensions between the two countries.
Other banned names include, Abdul, Linda, Alice, Elaine or Binyamin and more.
Check out the names banned by Saudi below:
- Malaak (angel)
- Abdul Aati
- Abdul Naser
- Abdul Musleh
- Binyamin (Arabic for Benjamin)
- Naris
- Yara
- Sitav
- Loland
- Tilaj
- Barrah
- Abdul Nabi
- Abdul Rasool
- Sumuw (highness)
- Al Mamlaka (the kingdom)
- Malika (queen)
- Mamlaka (kingdom)
- Tabarak (blessed)
- Nardeen
- Sandy
- Rama (Hindu god)
- Maline
- Elaine
- Inar
- Maliktina
- Maya
- Linda
- Randa
- Basmala (utterance of the name of God)
- Jibreel (angel Gabriel)
- Abdul Mu'een
- Abrar
- Iman
- Bayan
- Baseel
- Wireelam
- Nabi (prophet)
- Nabiyya (female prophet)
- Amir (prince)
- Taline
- Aram
- Nareej
- Rital
- Alice
- Lareen
- Kibrial
- Lauren
