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However, as soon as the name was made public, the couple realized that their personal enthusiasm was not shared by the broader world. While the name Lucifer is perfectly legal to register in the United Kingdom, it carries a heavy historical and religious weight that many found impossible to ignore. In the Christian tradition, the name is inextricably linked to the fallen angel and the personification of evil. This association led to an immediate and vitriolic backlash from strangers on the internet and, perhaps more painfully, from within their own social circles. One family member was particularly vocal, reportedly labeling the name an “abomination” and refusing to use the child’s full name, choosing instead to omit it entirely from conversation.
The criticism escalated when Ronni shared her story in various parenting groups on Facebook. Commenters warned that the name was “just stupid” and that she was effectively setting her son up for a lifetime of bullying and professional disadvantage. Some critics even went as far as to suggest that by naming the child after the devil, the parents were inviting a “devilish” personality to manifest in the boy. Ronni, however, viewed these comments as a reflection of narrow-mindedness rather than a valid concern for her son’s future. She argued that a bully would find a reason to pick on a child regardless of their name and that her responsibility as a mother was to raise her children to be confident, headstrong, and resilient. To her, the idea that a name could determine a child’s character was an outdated superstition.
Part of the couple’s defense of the name lies in its linguistic origins, which predate its association with modern religious iconography. Derived from the Latin words “lux” (light) and “ferre” (to bring), Lucifer literally translates to “light-bringer” or “morning star.” This was the meaning that Ronni and Brad chose to focus on—a symbol of enlightenment and a new dawn. They argued that critics were choosing to ignore this beautiful etymology in favor of a dark, singular narrative. By reclaiming the name, they felt they were embracing its original essence rather than its later, more sinister connotations.
The global perspective on the name Lucifer highlights just how divisive the choice remains. While the UK permits it, countries such as New Zealand, Germany, and Iceland have various levels of restrictions or outright bans on the name, often citing the potential for the child to be subjected to psychological harm or social stigma. In 2013, New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs officially added Lucifer to its list of banned names after several attempts by parents to use it. This international legal landscape underscores the fact that the name is seen by many governments not just as a matter of parental preference, but as a matter of child welfare.
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