Laurence Watkins
Laurence Watkins | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 June 1965 Auckland, New Zealand |
| Occupation | Security guard (retired) |
| Known for | Holder of the longest personal name recorded |
Laurence Watkins (born 9 June 1965) is a New Zealand record holder recognised by Guinness World Records for having the longest personal name recorded. His name, which contains an unusually large number of given names, attracted international attention due to its exceptional length and complexity.[1][2][3][4]
Record
Watkins was recognised by Guinness World Records for having the longest personal name in the world on 8 March 1990, after legally changing his name to include 2,253 additional given names. His full legal name contains an extensive series of given names, making it notable among documented cases of unusually long names.[5][6][7]
Watkins encountered several legal difficulties in New Zealand when attempting to register the name officially. The unusual length of the name created administrative and legal complications, requiring review by government authorities before it could be accepted through the country's name-change procedures. The case attracted public attention and contributed to discussions about the regulation of personal names. In the period following the case, New Zealand authorities introduced stricter guidelines governing name registrations, including practical limits on length. As a result of these regulatory changes, similarly long names are no longer permitted under current law, meaning that Watkins's record cannot be replicated within New Zealand.[8][9][10][11]
The record was acknowledged after documentation confirmed the length and official status of his name. Media coverage of the record has focused on both the uniqueness of the name and the practical implications it can have in everyday administrative contexts, such as identification documents and digital systems.[12][13][14]
Public attention
Watkins gained public recognition after his name was verified and documented by Guinness World Records. The unusual length of Watkins's name has drawn interest from media outlets and commentators who discuss records and unique personal distinctions. Coverage has often highlighted the broader phenomenon of record-breaking names and the way such records are documented and verified by organizations like Guinness World Records.[15][16][17][18]
References
- ^ "Longest personal name". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ Sharman, Laura (14 October 2025). "This man could tell you his name, but it'd take roughly 20 minutes". CNN. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ Hernandez, Brian Anthony (11 October 2025). "Man with World's Longest Name Has More Than 2,000 Middle Names — Here's the Clever Method He Used to Pick Those Names". People. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ "New Zealand man bags Guinness World Record for longest name". The Free Press Journal. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ Newman, Vicki (4 November 2025). "Listen as man with world's longest name reads it out - but be warned it takes ages". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ Ruru, Karanama (8 October 2025). "World's longest name - meet the Kiwi who owns the record". Stuff. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ "What's in a name? For Laurence Watkins, it's 2,253 words — World's longest!". Mathrubhumi. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ Blakeman, Lewis (7 October 2025). "Meet the man with the world's longest name who had to win a legal battle to keep it". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ Glover, April (10 October 2025). "Laurence won a High Court battle to have the world's longest name". 9 News. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ Mouriquand, David (11 October 2025). "The longest name in the world: Is yours one of them?". Euronews. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ Pavithran, Lekshmy (18 October 2025). "World's longest name: New Zealander takes 20 minutes to introduce himself". Gulf News. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ "Kiwi man holds Guinness World Record for longest name". 1 News. 12 October 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ "Name game: How the world's longest middle name resulted in a court battle". Firstpost. 11 October 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ Agrawal, Saumya (11 October 2025). "This man's name has 2,253 words and he holds Guinness World Record for it". News 9 Live. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ "Man with world's longest name re-affirmed by Guinness". ABC 6. 18 October 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ Almirón, Constanza (8 October 2025). "Obtuvo el récord Guinness por el nombre personal más largo del mundo". Infobae (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ Hooper, Ben (4 November 2025). "Australian man reads out the world's longest name". UPI. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ Young, Harley (19 February 2023). "Man gets in Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest name in the world". LADbible. Retrieved 16 March 2026.