'I named my daughter after fairy tale character - registrar refused at first'

14 March 2023 , 15:56

714     0

The mum was warned that her daughter would be 'teased' over the unique name (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images/Image Source)

Nowadays, parents are opting for unique baby names for their little ones as niche monikers creep up on the popularity scale. While some people may find choices particularly fitting, it doesn't stop the arrival of unwanted opinions.

Danielle Shap, 45, was initially confused when the registrar shot her an odd look when she handed in the form detailing her third child's name. The new mum, from Enfield, north London, refused to let other people's opinions sour her decision.

The mum claims she was advised to return once she had 'thought seriously' about her decision. She was taken aback after being warned that her daughter could be 'teased' over her decision.

The registrar advised the mum to rethink her decision (stock photo) (Getty Images)

Danielle - who had named her daughter Cinderella - admitted that her baby's name was something she wasn't prepared to be swayed on.

She told The Sun: "I explained the name was traditional and lovely and told her she needed to simply file our paperwork.

Mum's touching gesture to young son who died leaves Morrisons shopper in tears

"I thought this should have been a fairy tale experience and yet it was becoming a nightmare.

"My daughter's full name is Lola Cinderella. She was born on the stroke of midnight and is my little princess. I wasn't changing her name for anyone."

Unfortunately, Danielle claims that issues of filing her daughter's name only worsened.

Once the clerk realised that the mum wasn't budging on her choice, they excused themselves as they checked whether the name Cinderella was 'trademarked'.

Thankfully, the General Register Office, states that there are no restrictions on parents naming their child in the UK - except for circumstances where the name could be classed as offensive.

Danielle was finally given the thumbs up on the fairy tale moniker but admitted that it was 'harder' than giving birth to secure.

While she had 'possible names', her decision wasn't finalised until the mother and daughter met in person.

When her little one was born at the stroke of midnight in March 2017 after a two-hour labour, the mum claims she 'immediately thought' of Cinderella.

Danielle claims that she received a series of 'surprised' responses at the name, but others 'loved the name combination' and thought it was 'beautiful'.

Do you have a story? We want to hear it! Get in touch at [email protected]

'I don't want children staying up late at weekends - I really need adult time'

Grace Hoffman