In March 1990, Laurence Watkins, born in New Zealand, made an appeal to the government to change his name by including 2,000 middle names.
But when his legal application was knocked down by local Registrar general, he took it to the High Court and eventually won the case.
Laurence was then awarded Guinness World Record for holding 2,253 names.
"I may have the longest name in the world, but to you, my family and my friends, I’m still Laurence Watkins. Although, I’m honoured to be in the Guinness Book of World Records for my Christian names, as each has profound meaning to me," says Laurence.
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Shortly after approving Laurence for his new name, the court changed their laws to prevent someone else attempting to do something like this. It would be interesting to learn who comes next to ever break this record.
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