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New Zealand Man Holds World Record for Longest Personal Name

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In a remarkable display of endurance, New Zealand’s Laurence Watkins has set the record for the world’s longest personal name, comprising an astonishing 2,253 words. This title was officially recognized by Guinness World Records after a reclassification of his previous record for the longest Christian name, first awarded in 1992.

Watkins, a retired armed security guard who now resides in Sydney, Australia, showcased the length of his name during his wedding in 1991. At the ceremony, a pre-recorded announcement of his full name played while guests celebrated, taking about 20 minutes to complete. This unique approach to introductions has made him a memorable figure, not just for his extended name but for the story behind it.

Born in 1965, Watkins has always had a fascination with unusual records, inspired by the television show Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and the Guinness Book of World Records. He quickly realized that as “a normal person with no particular talent,” his best chance at notoriety was through his name.

“I was amazed by these record holders – the world’s fastest man, the tallest, the strongest,” Watkins recalled in an interview. “I concluded that I could achieve my goal by creating the world’s longest name.” After contemplating his options, he opted against attempting to break the record for the biggest height difference between spouses, which previously required marrying someone significantly shorter than himself.

Watkins spent a month curating his new name and paid 400 New Zealand dollars (approximately $230 USD) for a typist to document it. His inspiration came from various sources, including Latin and Old English names, notable figures, and even Māori terminology, despite having no direct cultural ties to Māori heritage.

His final choice included a mix of names such as Love, Florence, and Basil Brush, the latter inspired by a British television character. One notable addition is AZ2000, which symbolizes his expansive name collection from A to Z.

In 1990, after submitting a legal application for his name change, Watkins faced challenges from the Auckland District Court. Although initially accepted, his request was ultimately denied by the Registrar General, who stated that only a High Court ruling could grant him his new name. This prompted Watkins to take legal action, resulting in a victory that not only granted his name change but also led to his Guinness World Record certification two years later.

Last month, his record was adjusted to reflect the accurate count of individual names, now categorized as the longest personal name. “Not all of my names are Christian,” he clarified, explaining the rationale behind the reclassification.

For practical purposes, Watkins now uses a shortened version of his name: Laurence Alon Aloy Watkins. His full name, however, is documented across seven pages of his birth certificate. While his original passport included six extra pages, his current digital passport reflects his shorter name but notes the additional names on an observation page.

Despite the uniqueness of his situation, not everyone appreciates his lengthy title. “It’s nice to have something unique,” Watkins said, acknowledging that some find it difficult to grasp the extent of his name.

Throughout his life, Watkins has embraced his eccentricity, even running for the position of Auckland Mayor on four occasions under the title Lord Earl Duke King Saint Watkins. Other titles he has adopted include Baron, Pope, and Count. His legal victory also prompted changes in New Zealand’s naming laws, which now prohibit citizens from adopting names that include official titles, offensive terms, or exceed 70 characters.

Watkins expressed no regrets about his extensive collection of names, stating, “If I were crazy enough to change my name again, I’d have to part with 98% of them under the new law, and I’d lose my Guinness World Record.”

This story of unique naming conventions extends beyond New Zealand. Many countries enforce strict regulations regarding personal names. In Iceland, for example, individuals are limited to three given names, while Japan faced a landmark case in 1994 when a family attempted to name their son “Akuma,” which means devil.

New Zealand’s extraordinary laws may have closed the door behind Laurence Watkins, but his legacy as the holder of the longest personal name remains firmly intact.

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