Kiwi Laurence Watkins Holds Guinness Record for Longest Name

Former librarian Laurence Watkins, from New Zealand, has achieved a remarkable feat that has remained unchallenged for over three decades. In 1992, he entered the Guinness World Records with the title for the world’s longest name, which includes an astonishing 2,310 middle names. This unique distinction has not only brought him fame but also unique challenges in daily life.

From Aspiration to Record Holder

Watkins’s journey began in 1990 while he was working at the Auckland City Library. A self-proclaimed enthusiast of the Guinness World Records, he sought a record that an average person could aim for. “I wasn’t the strongest or the fastest, so I looked for something an average person could do,” he reflected. He narrowed it down to two options: creating the longest name or having the greatest height difference in a married couple. He decided that the name record was more achievable.

To construct his lengthy name, Watkins gathered inspiration from a variety of sources, including baby books, dictionaries, and contributions from friends and colleagues. “I stole names from everywhere — Māori names from the dictionary, Samoan names from a co-worker, Japanese from exchange students, and Chinese names too,” he shared. After spending $400 to compile and type the list of names, he submitted it to the Auckland District Court.

A Legal Challenge and Public Recognition

While the Auckland registrar accepted the submission, the Registrar-General in Wellington initially refused it. This prompted Watkins to take the matter to the High Court, where he ultimately prevailed. This victory not only secured his record but also cemented his place in a unique niche of history.

Watkins’s name is so extensive that it reportedly took his wedding celebrant over 20 minutes to read it aloud during his marriage ceremony. Reflecting on the practical implications of his record, he quipped, “My usual signature is just my surname. And for all official purposes, it’s just my first three names — Laurence Alon Aloys Watkins.”

Since achieving this unusual record, Watkins has led a vibrant life. He has run for the position of Auckland Mayor four times and moved to Australia in 1998. Despite the challenges that come with such a lengthy name, he embraces the attention it brings. “Getting into the Guinness Book was my life dream,” he stated. “Once you’ve had those 15 minutes of fame, you don’t want it to end. It’s a great feeling — even if no one quite believes it when I tell them I’ve got over 2,000 names!”

Watkins continues to hold his record, which not only highlights his creativity and determination but also serves as a testament to the diversity of cultural influences that shape individual identities. His story is a reminder that even the most ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things.