A couple in France were reported to the authorities for attempting to name their son Jihad.

The Muslim parents tried to register the highly controversial name at their town hall near Toulouse after his birth, but officials immediately alerted an authoritative public prosecutor, who is now challenging the name in the family court because of its links to terrorism.

A judge has the power to order them to choose another name, instead of the controversial one.

The undisclosed husband and wife have claimed that the word Jihad does not mean Holy War, but instead refers to effort, struggle and self-denial.