Girl named “Khaleesi” initially denied passport after trademark confusion, leaving UK mother devastated

A long-awaited mother-daughter holiday nearly fell apart after British officials rejected a six-year-old girl’s passport application, claiming her name, inspired by the hit series Game of Thrones, was trademarked and required corporate permission.

Lucy Holloway, a single mother from Swindon in the United Kingdom, had spent more than two years saving for a special trip to Disneyland Paris with her daughter. Working 50 hours a week, she carefully set money aside for what she described as their first dream holiday abroad together.

But when Holloway submitted her daughter’s passport application, she received an unexpected letter from the U.K. Passport Office stating that the request had been rejected. The reason: her daughter’s first name, Khaleesi, was allegedly trademarked by Warner Bros., the entertainment company connected to the global television phenomenon Game of Thrones.

“I was absolutely devastated,” Holloway said in an interview with the BBC. “We were so looking forward to our first holiday together.”

A name inspired by a fantasy world

The name Khaleesi gained global recognition through the HBO series Game of Thrones, based on the fantasy novels by George R.R. Martin. In the story, Khaleesi is a title given to the character Daenerys Targaryen, played by Emilia Clarke, who becomes one of the series’ most iconic figures.

According to naming data from the U.S. Social Security Administration, the name surged in popularity during the show’s peak years. Hundreds of American babies are still given the name each year, with 434 girls receiving it in 2024 alone.

The name’s popularity reflects how pop culture increasingly influences modern baby names, a trend documented by research from the U.S. Social Security Administration and analyzed by scholars studying naming patterns and media influence.

Holloway said she chose the name simply because she loved how it sounded and the strength it represented.

“I call her Cally for short,” she told The Sun. “But she always introduces herself as Khaleesi Holloway, Queen of Dragons.”

Trademark confusion

The passport rejection was based on the claim that the name was trademarked by Warner Bros., meaning official permission would be required before issuing a passport.

However, legal experts note that trademarks generally protect brand use in commercial contexts rather than personal names on official documents. Guidance from organizations such as the UK Intellectual Property Office explains that trademarks typically apply to goods and services rather than individuals’ legal names.

After Holloway shared the story publicly, the U.K. Passport Office reviewed the case and acknowledged that an error had been made. Officials later contacted the mother to apologize, explaining that the guidance cited by staff applies only when someone is changing their name, not when a child is given the name at birth.

The office confirmed that the application should now be processed normally.

A problem solved, but questions remain

Although the situation was eventually corrected, Holloway believes the issue might never have been resolved without the attention it received online.

“If I hadn’t posted this on social media, nothing would have been done,” she said. “I would have been stuck, not knowing what to do.”

She also said other parents contacted her after hearing the story, worried their children might face similar problems.

For Holloway and her daughter, the experience was a stressful detour on what was supposed to be a joyful milestone. But it also highlighted how unusual names inspired by pop culture can sometimes collide with real-world bureaucracy.

In the end, the mother shared a photo of the pair smiling together outside a Disney hotel, suggesting the long-awaited trip may have finally become a reality.