Parents in court for baby daughter's unusual name

Apparently the name could be harmful to the little girl when she grows up. Photo / 123rf / Getty

Agreeing on a baby's name can be tough for some parents.

But imagine finally settling on a name you're both happy with for your daughter, only to be taken to court and told you can't legally have it.

That's what's happened to one couple after they were taken to court for giving their daughter an unusual name.

They wanted to name their daughter Liam.

While the name is not unusual, the French Government had an issue with the fact they had picked a traditional boy's name for a girl.

The Government was worried it "would be likely to create a risk of gender confusion", The Local reported.

The prosecutor said the name was "contrary to the interest of the child and could harm her in her social relations" and told a judge to ban the parents from using it.

The judge gave them a stern warning that if they couldn't agree with a new name then he'd legally name the daughter himself.

The parents have decided to fight the decision and are seeking legal advice.

France is known for being very strict when it comes to baby names.

In the past parents have been banned from naming their children Nutella, Strawberry, Manhattan, and Prince William.

What's in a name? Photo / Getty

Ridiculous names banned:

Prince William (France)
Osama bin Laden (Germany)
Adolf Hitler (Germany)
Elvis (Sweden)
Metallica (Sweden)
Rambo (Mexico)
Batman (Mexico)
Sexual Intercourse (Malaysia)
Smelly head (Malaysia)

Names of religious figures have also been banned in a number of countries - apparently to protect a child from harm or offence.

In New Zealand, the name Lucifer was banned, while Switzerland and Saudi Arabia have also banned some religious-based names.

Religious figure names banned:

Judas (Switzerland)
Lucifer (Switzerland, New Zealand)
Malak/Angel (Saudi Arabia)

Brand names banned from around the globe:

Facebook (Mexico)
Ikea (Sweden)
Mercedes (Switzerland)
Nutella (France)
Mini Cooper (France)
Chanel (Switzerland)

Baby names banned in New Zealand:

New Zealand's Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages states that acceptable names must not cause offence to a reasonable person, not be unreasonably long and should not resemble an official title and rank.

Justice
Justus
Justyce
Juztice
King
Princess
Prince
Prynce
Royal
Duke
Dukey
Sargent
Major
Corporal
Bishop
Majesty
Lucifer
using brackets around middle names
/ (back slash)
Knight
Lady
using back slash between names
Judge
Royale
Messiah
T
I
Queen
II
Sir
Special Constable
Sex Fruit
Jr
E
V
J
Master
Constable
Queen Victoria1
Regal
Royal-Rule
Emperor
Christ
3rd
C J
G
09
Roman numerals III
General
Saint
Lord
. (full stop)
89
Eminence
M
VI
V8
Mafia No Fear
2nd
Majesti
Rogue
4real
* (star symbol)
5th
S P
C
Honour
D
Minister
MJ
Chief
Mr
President
MC
A.J
Baron
L B
H-Q
Queen V