A British mother named Lucy, 39, from Swindon, faced a surprising obstacle when her six-year-old daughter’s passport application was rejected due to her name, Khaleesi, inspired by a character from “Game of Thrones.” Lucy had saved for months for a £2,000 Disneyland Paris trip and was dismayed when the HM Passport Office refused to issue the passport, citing that Warner Bros., the owner of the name’s trademark, needed to grant permission.
Khaleesi, a title meaning “queen” used by the character Daenerys Targaryen played by Emilia Clarke in the HBO series, had become a popular name among fans. However, the Passport Office’s stance was incorrect as trademarks for names typically apply to goods and services, not individuals. Legal advice confirmed this, yet the Office insisted on a letter from Warner Bros. for approval.
Following this misinterpretation, the Passport Office apologized and acknowledged their mistake, clarifying that guidelines for name changes had been wrongly applied. They assured Lucy that the application was being processed. Despite the delay, Lucy remains hopeful for a swift resolution and has decided to wait until the passport is issued before rebooking their holiday. She also expressed that others facing similar issues might benefit from knowing that such mistakes can be corrected.
