A man holds the world record for the longest name, taking 20 minutes to read it aloud. Laurence Watkins, as he prefers to be called, legally changed his name in 1990 to include 2,308 additional names inspired by the Guinness Book of World Records. Working as a delivery driver at the time, he selected his new names from books in the library where he was employed.
While Laurence primarily uses his first and last names, he faces challenges due to the extensive nature of his full name. Living in Sydney, Australia, Laurence mentioned that his passport includes a note directing to six additional pages listing his forenames. The only occasion his complete name was spoken was during his wedding ceremony, which took the celebrant 20 minutes to recite.
Originating from Auckland, New Zealand, Laurence considers the initial 2,309 names as his first names, with Watkins as his single-name surname. Drawing from various library books, he chose traditional and unique names, such as Kalwhakamatautau and AZ2000, each holding personal significance. Despite holding a world record, Laurence expressed disappointment in the lackluster reactions he often receives when disclosing his multitude of names.
Initially recognized for having 2,310 names, his total was later adjusted to 2,253 as per updated record guidelines, although his full name remains 2,310 names long. He is set to receive a new certificate reflecting this change shortly.