Man legally gives himself 2000 middle names to break the record
After a High Court ruling, over 2000 middle names and one very patient wedding celebrant, this New Zealand man’s Guinness World Record for the longest name will be a real mouthful to beat
READING LEVEL: GREEN
Pop star Billie Eilish’s full name might surprise you. It’s Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell.
And the late, great Spanish artist Pablo Picasso’s real name could genuinely double as a tongue twister (though sources vary on the precise order): Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso.
But both look like mere nicknames next to the moniker* of one New Zealand man, who decided to turn his name into a world record.
Back in 1990, 24-year-old Laurence Watkins was working at the Auckland City Library when he had a light-bulb moment: if he couldn’t dunk the most basketballs or grow the longest fingernails, maybe he could still make history by collecting names.
So he did.
He legally changed his name to include more than 2000 middle names, ending up with a total of 2253 individual words, and an official Guinness World Record that’s yet to be beaten.
He told Guinness World Records he’d pored over their book “cover to cover” in search of something he could top.
But creating a 2000-name identity wasn’t as simple as filling out a form.
Mr Watkins’ application first had to be approved by the Auckland District Court — only to be knocked back by the Registrar General* in Wellington.
Undeterred*, he took the matter all the way to New Zealand’s High Court, where he finally won.
The decision sparked a quiet legislative* change soon after, effectively banning anyone else from attempting a similar stunt.
So yes, currently his record could never be broken in New Zealand.
And in case you’re wondering, Mr Watkins didn’t just pluck names at random. Working among thousands of books, he found inspiration everywhere.
From literary characters to suggestions by colleagues, his eclectic* list includes Maori, Samoan, Japanese and Chinese names, though he admits he doesn’t personally have roots in those cultures.
His favourite? “AZ2000” – because, as he explains, “I have names from A to Z — and I have 2000 of them.”
The consequences of lugging around a 2253-word name are exactly as chaotic as you’d imagine.
When Mr Watkins got married, the celebrant* spent more than 20 minutes reading out his full name during the ceremony.
Official paperwork is a whole other challenge, and most government systems simply can’t cope.
On most forms, Mr Watkins sticks to using his first three names: Laurence Alon Aloys Watkins.
Decades after claiming his Guinness World Record, no one has managed to outdo him, and thanks to those rule changes, no one in his own country legally could.
“I think people struggle to even process how many names I have,” he said. “It’s a lot to take in.”
And if you were hoping to read through the whole list, you’d better cancel your afternoon plans and find somewhere comfortable to sit down.
WATCH FUN LONDON WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT
POLL
GLOSSARY
- moniker: a name or nickname
- Registrar General: a government official whose job is keeping records
- undeterred: not bothered, worried or put off
- legislative: relating to laws or the making of laws
- eclectic: describes a collection of objects, ideas, beliefs or a style that come from many different sources
- celebrant: a registered person who can officiate at a ceremony such as a marriage or a funeral
EXTRA READING
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QUICK QUIZ
- How many words are there in Mr Watkins’ name?
- What is his favourite part of his legal name?
- Where did Mr Watkins’ to have his name legally recognised end up being won?
- How long did it take the celebrant to read out Mr Watkins’ full name at his wedding?
- Why can’t one of his fellow New Zealanders challenge his Guinness World Record?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. For and against?
Should the government have the right to restrict or put limits on names that people can use or give to their children? Write a list of at least four very convincing arguments for AND four very convincing arguments against this question.
Time: allow at least 15 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Civics and Citizenship
2. Extension
There are some very unusual world records. What’s the most unusual, or wackiest world record that you think most kids could have a go at achieving? Describe the activity. Write a set of rules that people trying to break the rule would have to follow and a letter to the organisers of Guinness World Records that will convince them to include your activity.
Time: allow at least 25 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English
VCOP ACTIVITY
Read this!
A headline on an article – or a title on your text – should capture the attention of the audience, telling them to read this now. So choosing the perfect words for a headline or title is very important.
Create three new headlines for the events that took place in this article. Remember, what you write and how you write it will set the pace for the whole text, so make sure it matches.
Read out your headlines to a partner and discuss what the article will be about based on the headline you created. Discuss the tone and mood you set in just your few, short words. Does it do the article justice? Will it capture the audience’s attention the way you hoped? Would you want to read more?
Consider how a headline or title is similar to using short, sharp sentences throughout your text. They can be just as important as complex ones. Go through the last text you wrote and highlight any short, sharp sentences that capture the audience.