Prince Fielder Banned in New Zealand

Well, I suppose not actually the man himself – but apparently his name is. According to TIME magazine, the name “Prince” has been added to the list of names that the government of New Zealand prohibits parents from giving their children. Exactly what this would mean (presumably nothing) for people visiting New Zealand whose parents named them “Prince” a long time ago is unclear.

April 6, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder (28) during the game against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Why? Why would they do that, you ask? Well, in a nutshell in New Zealand they ban just about any baby name that is related in some way to a title that might be bestowed upon someone – one of which would be “Prince” if you happened to be, for example, the grandson of the Queen. Other banned names include titles like “Justice”, which would be given to a judge, or “Constable”. The list is filled out with a handful of names that seem justifiably banned, though it is hard to imagine any deranged parent who would wish to name a child that: like “V8”, “Anal” or “Mafia No Fear”.

What can I say? This seems silly. I’m proud to live in a country where Prince Fielder can be Prince Fielder, or even Mafia No Fear Fielder had Cecil been a tad more unhinged, rather than some dull Kiwi name like Wesley Fielder.