The National Registration Department (NRD) has outlined three categories of names deemed unsuitable for newborn registration, to ensure that all births are recorded in a careful, lawful manner, safeguarding children’s interests, social harmony, and national identity.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Facebook post, all newborns in Malaysia must be registered by law.
Under Section 16 of the 1957 Births and Deaths Registration Act, the NRD director has the authority to reject names considered inappropriate or undesirable.
The NRD issued Circular No. 8/2006 on October 2, 2006, providing nationwide guidance for registration officers handling newborn naming at counters. The circular ensures that names are appropriate in terms of language, religion, and culture, protecting children’s identity and social order.
The department explained that if a newborn’s name is found to be unsuitable or carries a negative meaning and the child is under one year old, a correction can be made on the birth certificate. For children over one year old, name changes can only be applied through the MyKad system, and the corrected name will appear on the MyKad only; the law does not allow changes to the birth certificate itself.
According to the circular, newborn names fall into three main categories:
1. Prohibited Names: Names containing official titles or inappropriate meanings are not allowed. Examples include Tan Sri, Dato’, Haji, Nabi, Gabenor, Dr., Mahaguru, Malang (unlucky), and Haram (forbidden).
2. Unsuitable Names: Names using abbreviations, numbers, or those with negative connotations are also prohibited. This includes single letters, numbers, animal names, fruits, vegetables, or objects. Authorities note that such names could affect a child’s identity and future development.
3. Hereditary Titles: These can only be passed down legally through the paternal line in a lawful marriage. If the father does not hold the relevant hereditary title, it cannot be conferred to the child even if the mother possesses it. Common hereditary titles include Tengku, Engku, Megat, Syed, Sharifah, and Nik.
