A Glastonbury music store worker made global headlines in 2012 when he legally changed his name to “Captain Fantastic Faster Than Superman Spiderman Batman Wolverine Hulk And The Flash Combined,” securing a place in history for the world’s longest personal name. The unprecedented decision sparked international media attention and raised questions about the limits of personal identity in modern society.
George Garratt, 23 at the time, paid £10 for the deed poll name change, citing a desire to “be unique” as his motivation.
The BBC confirmed that the name change was officially registered in the UK public records, marking a peculiar milestone in British administrative history.
“I wanted to be unique. Now I can’t usually get anyone to say my full name without laughing first. It’s made my life more interesting and has given me a great story to tell.”
Captain Fantastic (formerly George Garratt)
The name change has created numerous practical challenges. Banks and government offices initially refused to accept the new name, requiring multiple verification steps and special considerations.
His driver’s license only displays the first 30 characters, legally requiring him to carry his deed poll document as supplementary identification.
In job interviews, Captain Fantastic reports mixed reactions from potential employers. Some find it amusing and memorable, while others express concern about professional implications. “I’ve had interviews where they spent the first 20 minutes just discussing my name,” he reveals. “It’s definitely an ice-breaker.”
The UK Deed Poll Office confirmed this as the longest recorded name change in British history, surpassing the previous record holder by 24 characters. The Guinness World Records verified the entry, though they maintain a separate category for longest birth names.
The case sparked renewed interest in unusual name changes across Britain, with the Deed Poll Office reporting a 30% increase in applications for unconventional names in the months following.
According to UK law expert Michael Sterling, there are remarkably few restrictions on name changes in Britain. “As long as the name isn’t intended for fraudulent purposes or contains offensive language, it’s perfectly legal to choose almost anything,” he explains. This legal flexibility has led to a growing trend of creative name changes, reflecting evolving attitudes toward personal identity.
Editor’s Note: Sources include BBC News reports, UK Deed Poll Office records, direct interviews with the subject, and academic papers discussing the case. Story verified through official documentation and contemporary news coverage from 2012-2023.