My Google Profile has just been flagged for not complying with the names policy.  I was just refreshing my Google+ page and the message shown to the left came up.  As you can see, it clearly states that the Google+ names policy is to “use the name that you are commonly referred to in real life”.  This name, is “Bastard Sheep”.

Because the name I am most commonly referred to in real life is in actual fact “Bastard Sheep”, I clicked on “Edit Name” and made no changes.  The only option I had (not screenshot, sorry) was “submit for review”, so I did.  After that, I was taken to the following screen.

As you can see, it states reviews usually take a few days to complete and I will “have full access to Google+ and all other Google services” in the meantime.  I have tested it, and unlike Stilgherrian, it would appear as though I do actually still have full access to Google+ for now under my name.  This name, is “Bastard Sheep”.

I decided my next step would be to click on the “Names Policy” link in the above screenshot, and was taken to this page.

Again, Google quite clearly state that “Google Profiles requires you to use the name that you commonly go by in daily life”.  This name, is “Bastard Sheep”.

“Use your full first and last name in a single language.”
“Bastard Sheep” is all in English, it is the full first and last names.  Check.

“Avoid unusual characters in your name.”
“Bastard Sheep” is all alphabetical. Check.

“Your profile and name must represent one person.”
I am one person. Check.

“Don’t use the name of another individual.”
To the best of my knowledge there are no other individuals anywhere who use this name.  Check.

So far so good.  I should be happily able to use my name.  This name, is “Bastard Sheep”.

Some more clicking around and I came across this page.

“To help fight spam and prevent fake profiles, use the name your friends, family or co-workers usually call you.”

I don’t use Google+ to communicate with co-workers as I have a strict policy of keeping my personal and professional lives separate.  Due to this, we can confidently erase the “or co-workers” from that line leaving just friends and family.  Friends and family do know me by a certain name.  This name, is “Bastard Sheep”.

So far, it would appear as though my name “Bastard Sheep”, is in full and complete compliance with Google Profiles’ and Google+’s naming policies.  I am looking forward to Google completing their review and finding that my name was incorrectly flagged as being problematic.  This name, is “Bastard Sheep”.

… I somehow doubt this will happen though.

I will continue to keep everyone updated as there’s any progress on my name.  This name, is “Bastard Sheep”.

Further links:

• Bastard Sheep on why I use a pseudonym, and problems with the arguments for “real names”.
• Stilgherrian gets suspended despite using his full, complete, wallet & legal name.
• My name is me.
• Rainyday Superstar explicitly tells google the name she has entered is false, gets unsuspended.
• Gary Walker uses blatantly false ID, gets unsuspended.
• Skud explains Google+’s name policy in detail.