Why IKEA Is Banned as a Baby Name in Sweden (And How Phoebe Got Away With It)

If you’re a Friends fan, you might recall the episode where Phoebe pretends to be Swedish and introduces herself as “Ikea” while trying to hide her identity from Rachel during an unexpected massage. It’s classic Phoebe—quirky and on-brand! But in Sweden, naming a child IKEA isn’t an option. But in Sweden, naming your child IKEA is actually illegal! Thanks to a 1982 Naming Law, Sweden keeps names that could cause "discomfort or offense" strictly off-limits. The Swedish Tax Authority even reviews all names, nixing anything too commercial or controversial, which leaves IKEA off the list for Swedish newborns.

This law isn't just tough on IKEA. In Sweden, names like Metallica and Elvis have also faced bans for similar reasons. Sweden isn’t alone, either; other countries have their own list of banned names. In New Zealand, some infamous denials include Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii, a name so disliked by officials that they took temporary guardianship to rename the child. Likewise, Lucifer and Mafia No Fear were shut down to protect children from likely ridicule. In Saudi Arabia, names like Linda and Malek are banned simply for being foreign or reserved for royalty. Meanwhile, Australia keeps things practical, rejecting names like iMac and Batman—saying yes to superheroes, but no to calling your child after them.

While Phoebe got away with her Swedish alias in Friends, real Swedish parents can stick to traditional names—or get creative, just not too much. These name bans reflect a global trend in protecting children’s names from confusion, embarrassment, or future cringing.

Here you can find our list of nordic names.