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In an interview with Metro, Ronni – mom to Lola, 8, Lincoln, 5, and Lilac, 4 – pushed back firmly against that idea, insisting she’s not concerned by the criticisms.
“If a kid is a bully, they will find something to pick on. I teach all my children positive affirmations and to be confident and headstrong,” she told Metro. “I’m not concerned his name will cause him problems at school or later in life.
“On Facebook, people said they hoped it was only a nickname and told me I wouldn’t be legally allowed to register him with that name,” she explained. “Other parents said I’ve named him after the devil, so he will be like the devil. That’s just stupid, you can’t negatively label a child.”
She also notes that her son has a more common middle name – Ashley – that he can use – if he chooses.
‘Unusual but strong’
Despite the controversy, Ronni says many parents quietly admitted they admired the choice.
“Lots of other mums admitted they loved the name and had considered using it but let their worries get the better of them. When he was born, midwives told us they loved the name and encouraged us not to change it.”
“His name is unusual but strong… positive comments outweigh any negative comments and most importantly, we love it.”
‘Light bearer’ or ‘morning star’
The name has a long and complicated history. While it is widely associated with Satan in Christian tradition, it originally comes from Latin and means “light‑bearer” or “morning star,” a meaning Ronni says critics often ignore.
Although the name was banned in New Zealand in 2013 and is restricted in countries including Germany and Iceland, Ronni says registering it in the U.K. was uneventful.
“No raised eyebrows or gasps of disgust. The registrar simply confirmed the spelling and that was it. I’m sure they hear far worse names every day,” Ronni said.
“Sometimes when people ask I warn them first and say ‘it’s quite unusual’ or controversial. That’s just to give them a moment to know that I’m not going to care what they say,” she explained. “Ultimately, people either like It or don’t, but their opinion isn’t relevant.”
