The person with the longest name in the world, takes 20 minutes to read

For most people on this earth, name introductions are made in just a few seconds.

For Laurence Watkins, however, this simple task turned into a feat of extraordinary endurance.

Because, to read his full name, all 2,253 words, takes 20 minutes.

This was demonstrated at his wedding in 1991, when the officiant pre-recorded his full name and then played it back.

Laurence Watkin, now 60, originally from Auckland, New Zealand, holds the World Record for the longest given name, a title recently recognized by Guinness World Records when it reclassified his original record for the longest Christian name, approved in 1992.

Laurence Watkins holds a six-page birth certificate containing his full 2,253-character name.

PHOTO: NV

Born in 1965 with real name Laurence Gregory Watkins, he wanted to appear in the Guinness World Records book but had no special ability so he created the longest name in the world.

So, Watkins spent the next month deciding on his new name and paid a typist $400 NZD (about VND6 million) to write it down on paper.

He took inspiration for his new name from Latin and Old English names, famous figures, or from Māori, Samoan, Japanese, and even Chinese dictionaries… He also added the surname Gaylord in honor of American gymnast and 1984 Olympic gold medalist Mitch Gaylord.

With his name typed over six pages, Watkins applied for a name change in 1990. The Auckland District Court granted his request, but it was refused at the final stage by the Secretary-General.

“The registrar said the only way I could get a new name was to take him to the Supreme Court,” Watkins said. “ The government had no legal basis to refuse my name change at that point, so I won.”

Watkins was given a new name and received a Guinness World Records certificate for the world's longest Christian name at 2,310 two years later, in March 1992.

Last month, the name was re-categorised and reclassified as the "world's longest personal name" with a revised character count of 2,253 to more accurately reflect his record.

For everyday use, he now shortened his name to Laurence Alon Aloy Watkins and signed it as Watkins V.

His full name takes up seven pages on his birth certificate, compared to six on his original passport. His name appears shorter on the digital passport. "But if I travel , I still have to carry a copy of my birth certificate in case someone asks to see it."

He held in his hand the World Record certificate, the first typed copy of his name and the old passport with his name on it.

PHOTO: NV

However, following Watkins's Supreme Court victory, New Zealand changed the law.

Today, citizens of the country are banned from having names that contain official titles or ranks, offensive terms, numbers, symbols, or any characters longer than 70 characters, including spaces.

“If I were crazy enough to change my name again, I would have to give up 98% of it under the new law, and I would lose my Guinness World Record,” he said.

Other places have strict naming laws

In Iceland , each individual is allowed only three given names, all of which must comply with a naming committee to ensure the name conforms to the Icelandic alphabet, grammar, and appropriate standards.

Japan also had a landmark naming case in 1994, when a family's attempt to name their son Akuma, meaning devil, led to government intervention and a debate about state involvement in naming. After a lengthy legal battle, the family withdrew the name.

New parents in Portugal are asked to choose from a pre-approved list of names that adhere to traditional Portuguese spellings. For example, the name Tom is only allowed to be used in its Portuguese form, Tomás. Each name is allowed to have a maximum of two given names and four surnames.

Denmark uses a pre-approved list of names, with alternative names requiring special permission.

In Sweden , given names must be certified by the Tax Authority, which will reject potentially offensive names, and name changes must retain at least one original name.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nguoi-co-ten-dai-nhat-the-gioi-doc-xong-mat-20-phut-185251016112027968.htm