A mother in the United Kingdom says a bureaucratic error nearly derailed her family’s long-awaited holiday to Disneyland Paris after her six-year-old daughter’s passport application was reportedly rejected over her first name.
Passport Refusal Sparks Outrage
Lucy Holloway, 39, from Swindon, said she was left “absolutely devastated” after receiving a letter from the U.K. Passport Office informing her that her daughter’s passport application had been refused. The reason, she was told, was that her child’s first name — Khaleesi — was allegedly trademarked.
Khaleesi is a title made famous by the hit HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones. In the show, the title is associated with the character Daenerys Targaryen, portrayed by Emilia Clarke.
According to Holloway, officials advised that she would need permission from Warner Bros. before the passport could be issued.
“I was absolutely devastated,” she told the BBC. “We were so looking forward to our first holiday together.”
Dream Trip Put on Hold
Holloway said she had spent more than two years saving for what she described as a dream vacation — the pair’s first trip abroad together. The unexpected refusal, she said, left their travel plans in jeopardy.
The name Khaleesi rose in popularity during the later seasons of Game of Thrones, peaking in 2018 shortly before the show’s finale. Inspired by the character’s portrayal as a strong and resilient leader, thousands of parents worldwide chose the name for their daughters.
Holloway said she was unaware of any potential legal issues when registering her daughter’s birth. “If she could get a birth certificate, would something not have been flagged up then?” she questioned. “I never thought you could trademark a name.”
Error Acknowledged
Legal experts note that while companies can trademark names for commercial use, such protections generally do not prevent individuals from using those names personally.
Following attention on social media, the Passport Office reportedly contacted Holloway to clarify the situation, acknowledging that an error had been made during the review process. Officials explained that internal guidance referenced by staff applies mainly to formal name changes, not to names registered at birth.
Holloway said she was later informed that her daughter’s passport application would now be processed.
Social Media’s Role
The case has since sparked wider discussion about trademark law, passport policy, and the growing trend of baby names inspired by popular culture.
Holloway believes public attention helped resolve the issue. “If I hadn’t posted this on social media, nothing would have been done,” she said.
Although she has not issued a formal update, Holloway later shared a photo of herself and her daughter dressed as a princess outside a Disney hotel — suggesting their long-awaited European getaway may ultimately have gone ahead.
