Naming a kid is a very personal and sometimes difficult task for new parents. The pressure to pick a name that connects emotionally and culturally is great.
For one couple from Derbyshire, however, the journey took an unexpected turn. They chose a name that sparked debate among the registrar tasked with formally certifying it.
Dan and Mandy Sheldon, new parents from Chesterfield, welcomed their kid in 2020. Like many parents, they spent months looking for the ideal name.
They eventually opted on the name Lucifer, which they felt was strong and profound. However, their choice was met with surprise pushback.
As the couple joyfully approached their local registrar office, they expected an easy process. What happened next was quite the opposite.
Instead of delight, the registrar displayed apparent contempt. The official’s response was surprising and severe.
According to the Sheldons, the registrar cautioned them about their son’s destiny. She thought that the name would ensure him a miserable existence.
“He will never get a job,” the registrant reportedly stated. “No teacher will want to teach him with that name.”
Lucifer is frequently identified with Satan in Christian theology, as the registrar emphasized. However, the Sheldons had a very different outlook.
They claimed that they are not religious and chose the name based on its Latin meaning. Dan noted that Lucifer means “bearer of light” in Latin.
In an interview with *This Morning*, Dan stated, “It depends on what part of history you take the meaning from.” The couple chose it because of its ancient roots.
However, the registrar was adamant about her reservations. In an astonishing revelation, she even equated the name Lucifer to naming their child “Hitler.”
This comment astonished and upset the Sheldons. Dan characterized the encounter as “very hurtful” on what was supposed to be a happy day.
The registrar eventually requested that they leave the room. She needed to see if the name Lucifer was even legal in the UK.
The pair was greatly distressed by the encounter. “We were astounded by her behaviour,” Dan told *The Sun*.
Despite the Sheldons’ arguments, the registrar’s resistance remained. She stated that the name Lucifer was forbidden in various nations.
Some names are restricted in countries such as Germany and Switzerland. Lucifer is one of the names that have been banned in New Zealand.
Dan and Mandy made an official complaint after becoming agitated. The Derbyshire County Council responded quickly to the event.
The council issued a statement expressing remorse for the incident. “We apologize if they were offended,” the council stated.
They emphasized that it is the registrar’s responsibility to notify parents. Sometimes people are unaware of the unpleasant associations that a name may evoke.
Nonetheless, the Sheldons stood hard on their decision. Dan explained that, despite the uproar, they believed the name was appropriate for their son.
“We were struggling to come up with a name,” Dan explained. They desired something bold, memorable, and unique.
Dan appeared on *This Morning* with baby Lucifer, bringing their story to national light. He explained how painful the event had been for them.
“It should have been a joyous day,” Dan added. “Instead, we were left feeling deeply upset by the whole process.”
As they waited for the registrar’s final verdict, tension rose. Will the registrar eventually deny them the right to name their child?
When the registrar returned, the time had come for action. Despite her personal misgivings, she acknowledged that there is no UK law that prohibits the name.
With hesitation, she registered the name Lucifer for the Sheldons’ son. The couple had won their battle to name their child how they wanted.
Finally, the Sheldons could refer to their son as Lucifer. The registrar’s objections were technically unjustified, but the emotional toll was significant.
Their story prompted a broader discussion regarding baby names. It raised doubts regarding registrars’ role in advising parents on their options.
For the Sheldons, the name Lucifer held significant meaning. They hope that society would perceive it as a unique and meaningful choice, rather than one fraught with debate.
Feature Image credit: (ITV)
