Couple wins case to name son after first Black pharaoh. Court had cited ballet confusion, bullying fears

The couple have named their newborn son Piyé. (Representational)

A Brazilian couple has successfully overturned a government ban preventing them from naming their newborn son after an ancient African ruler. Danillo and Catarina Prímola, who wanted to name their son Piyé after the first Black Egyptian pharaoh, faced resistance from local authorities who feared the name would subject the child to ridicule.

The couple’s initial attempt to register the name was blocked by the Belo Horizonte registry office. Officials raised concerns that Piyé, which appears as Piié on paper in Brazilian, resembled the ballet term “plié” and could expose the boy to teasing. Despite the Prímolas' deep personal connection to the name, The Minas Gerais Court of Justice initially sided with the registry office, stating that the name might "expose their bearers to ridicule."

Naming battles are not new, with several countries enforcing strict guidelines around acceptable names. Just last year, a British couple faced a similar legal hurdle when they sought to name their son Lucifer.

Dan and Mandy Sheldon argued that the name was not chosen for its devilish connotations, but because they found it strong and unique. After a prolonged legal fight, they too were granted the right to use the name.

In the Brazilian case, the Prímolas explained that their choice of Piyé was deeply rooted in their son’s African heritage. "There was a word there that talked about the black pharaoh," Danillo told MailOnline, referring to their inspiration. "We went to research what it was like, and we found the story of Piié, who was a Nubian warrior who fought and conquered Egypt and became the first black pharaoh."

The couple viewed the name as a tribute to African history, a way to instill pride in their son’s identity. "Recovering African names is a powerful way to give a new narrative to the history of black people," Danillo told DailyMail. "We have the right to educate our children with this strength, this culture, and in a way that they have representation in their name."

The legal battle saw a dramatic turn on Friday, September 13, when a judge revoked the earlier decision, ruling in favor of the Prímolas. The decision means that the baby can now proceed with vaccinations and other essential procedures, as he has finally been granted an official birth certificate.