Laurence Watkins Sets Record with 2,253-Word Name

At a wedding in 1991, guests enjoyed champagne as a recording of Laurence Watkins’ lengthy name filled the air. This extraordinary display was not merely a quirk but a demonstration of his world record for the longest personal name, officially recognized by Guinness World Records. With a total of 2,253 words, reciting his full name takes approximately 20 minutes, an impressive feat that has fascinated people around the world.

Laurence Watkins, now 60 years old and residing in Sydney, Australia, was born in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1965. His interest in record-breaking began in childhood, inspired by the television show “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!” and the Guinness Book of World Records, which he read cover to cover. “I was amazed by these record holders – the world’s fastest man, the tallest, the strongest,” he recalled in an interview.

Feeling that he lacked a unique talent, Watkins decided his best chance of making it into the record books lay in creating the world’s longest name. After considering various record categories, he determined that his singular path lay in this ambitious endeavor. “The only other option was the biggest height difference between spouses,” he explained, noting that the record holder at the time was a South African man whose wife was only three feet tall.

Over a month, Watkins meticulously crafted his name, drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, including Latin and Old English names, notable historical figures, and even the Māori dictionary. He paid a typist 400 New Zealand dollars (approximately $230 USD) to record it on paper, resulting in a name that spans six pages.

Though he has no Māori cultural ties, Watkins expressed admiration for the indigenous Polynesian people and their language. “The names can be quite long, which was a challenge on the typewriter, at a time before modern computers,” he noted. His final name includes playful choices like “Basil Brush,” a nod to a British television puppet, and “Gaylord,” after U.S. Olympic gold medalist Mitch Gaylord. His favorite, however, is “AZ2000,” symbolizing the vast array of names he holds from A to Z.

In 1990, Watkins submitted a legal application to change his name, which was accepted by the Auckland District Court. Nonetheless, he faced challenges from the Registrar General, who claimed that approval would only come if Watkins took the matter to the High Court. “The government didn’t have any legal basis to deny my name change at the time, so I won,” he said, ultimately receiving his Guinness World Record certificate for the longest Christian name in March 1992.

Recently, this record was reclassified to reflect his full name as the “world’s longest personal name,” with an adjusted total of 2,253 individual names. Watkins clarified, “Not all of my names are Christian,” explaining the need for clarity in categorizing records.

For everyday purposes, he has adopted a shortened version of his name: Laurence Alon Aloy Watkins. His birth certificate lists the full name across seven pages, while his passport initially required six additional pages. “With digital passports, my new one just shows my shorter name and notes that I have another 2,249 on the observations page,” he said.

Despite the uniqueness of his name, not everyone appreciates the humor in it. “It’s nice to have something unique,” he stated, “but others don’t see the funny side or can’t fathom that I really do have that many names.” During one of his four campaigns for Auckland Mayor, he humorously ran under the name Lord Earl Duke King Saint Watkins, along with other titles such as Baron, Pope, and Count.

Watkins’ journey led to significant legislative changes in New Zealand. Following his High Court victory, the government implemented new laws that restrict name changes, prohibiting the adoption of official titles or ranks, offensive terms, numbers, symbols, or names longer than 70 characters, including spaces. “If I were crazy enough to change my name again, I’d have to part with 98% of them under the new law,” he remarked, underscoring the legacy that he has now secured.

New Zealand is not alone in enforcing strict naming regulations. Countries such as Iceland limit individuals to three given names, while Japan faced controversy in 1994 over a family’s attempt to name their son “Akuma,” meaning devil. In Portugal, new parents must choose from pre-approved names, and in Denmark, alternative names require special permission.

As Watkins reflects on his remarkable name and the legacy it has created, he expresses no regrets. “I have more than 2,000 names, and that’s the entire point,” he concluded, embodying a spirit of creativity and determination that inspires those intrigued by his unique story.