09.10.2025 20:25
New Zealander Laurence Watkins, who wanted to have his name recorded in the Guinness World Records, changed his legal identity in 1990 with exactly 2,253 middle names. Watkins' extraordinary struggle, which he took to court to break the record, not only resulted in a world record but also led to changes in two laws in New Zealand.
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Laurence Watkins, who lives in New Zealand, set one of the world's most extraordinary records. In 1990, Watkins, who set an unusual goal for himself, decided to change his legal name to a total of 2,253 middle names in order to enter the Guinness World Records.
HE CARRIES THE WORLD'S LONGEST NAME WITH 2,253 MIDDLE NAMES
Watkins has always been curious about strange records. One day, while browsing through the Guinness records, he searched for a category that he could also achieve. He decided to try his luck in the "longest name" category, which he found more accessible compared to other records.
In that period, when digital tools were not yet widespread, gathering thousands of names was truly a test of patience for Watkins, who is now 59 years old. He rummaged through books in libraries, received suggestions from friends, and listed 2,253 names one by one. This process exhausted him both in terms of time and financially; he spent hundreds of dollars.
HE TOOK HIS STRUGGLE TO THE COURTROOMS
Watkins' application for a name change was initially accepted by the local court. However, the civil registry office, which was to carry out the registration process, rejected the application, arguing that such a long name could not fit on official documents. Not giving up on his persistent stance, Watkins took the matter to the New Zealand High Court. The court recognized the individual's right to a name and ruled in his favor. Thus, Watkins officially became the person with the longest name in the world.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO AMEND TWO DIFFERENT LAWS
Watkins' unusual achievement did not go unnoticed by the government. To prevent similar applications, two different laws were amended in New Zealand. Legal limits were set for the length of names a person can carry nationwide.
HIS FAVORITE NAME: AZ2000
Among the thousands of names Watkins collected, his favorite became "AZ2000." This name represents a symbolic integrity formed by the combination of 2,000 different names arranged in alphabetical order from A to Z.
THERE'S A PRICE FOR THE RECORD: AN IDENTITY THAT DOESN'T FIT ON FORMS
Although having a world record is a source of pride, this decision led to significant difficulties in his daily life. The inability of his name to appear fully on any form, official document, or digital system became one of Watkins' biggest challenges. He faces this situation with a smile: "When I tell people how many middle names I have, they usually think I'm joking. But it's all real!"
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