Naming Your Baby? These U.S. States Have Some Unexpected Rules
Ever thought about naming your baby something unique, like King or Queen? Think again. Some names are actually illegal in certain states across the U.S. Here’s a state-by-state breakdown of these unusual naming laws and the surprising names you can’t use.
California: No Symbols or Numbers
In California, you can’t name your baby using symbols or numbers, such as “@”. Names must use the 26 letters of the alphabet to ensure practicality and standardization in official documents.
New Jersey: No Titles or Offensive Names
New Jersey prohibits names like “King,” “Queen,” and “Messiah.” The state also bans offensive names that could be deemed discriminatory or inflammatory.
Texas: Banning Controversial Names
Texas does not allow names like “Adolf Hitler” and “Messiah.” The state aims to protect children from potential harm and controversy.
Kentucky: No Restrictions
Interestingly, Kentucky has no specific naming laws. Parents here have complete freedom to choose any name for their child.
New York: No Numbers or Symbols
Similar to California, New York does not allow names that include numbers or symbols, ensuring names are practical and standard.
Ohio: No Numbers
Ohio prohibits names that include numerical digits, ensuring clarity and practicality in official documents.
Georgia: No Special Characters
Georgia bans the use of special characters in baby names, aligning with many other states’ regulations to maintain clarity in official documents.
Recent Trademark Issues: Khaleesi
Names inspired by popular culture, such as “Khaleesi” from Game of Thrones, can also face legal challenges. Recently, attempts to trademark the name “Khaleesi” highlighted the complexities and potential legal issues surrounding the use of trademarked names.
Massachusetts: Character Limits
Massachusetts has specific regulations that names cannot exceed 40 characters in length. This is to ensure names fit within the constraints of official documentation systems.
South Carolina: No Obscene Names
South Carolina prohibits names that include obscenities or derogatory terms, protecting children from potential ridicule or discrimination.
Hawaii: English and Hawaiian Characters Only
In Hawaii, names must include only Hawaiian or English alphabet characters, reflecting the state’s cultural heritage and practical considerations for official records.
Other States with Specific Rules
Certain states have additional specific naming restrictions to ensure practicality and avoid complications in official documentation:
Arkansas: Apostrophes and Hyphens Allowed
Arkansas allows names to include apostrophes, hyphens, and spaces, as long as they are not consecutive .
Florida: Naming Agreement Required
Florida requires parents to sign an agreement to establish a child’s first name, or else a court will select one for them .
Michigan: Only English Characters
Michigan mandates that only English characters are allowed in names to maintain consistency and clarity .
Mississippi: Automatic Father’s Surname
Mississippi states that if the parents are married at the time of the child’s birth, the child automatically takes on the father’s surname unless a different name is requested .
Virginia: No Special Characters
Virginia prohibits names that include numbers, symbols, or special characters such as umlauts and tildes .
States with Minimal or No Restrictions
Several states have minimal or no specific naming laws, giving parents more freedom in choosing names:
Illinois: No Restrictions
Illinois has no restrictions. Numbers and special characters are allowed .
North Carolina: Accent Marks Allowed
North Carolina allows accent marks, hyphens, and tildes (ñ) in names .
Alaska, Kansas, Oregon: Foreign Letters Allowed
Alaska, Kansas, and Oregon permit accents and certain foreign letters on birth certificates .
Why It Matters
These laws exist to protect children from potential ridicule, harm, or the burden of a controversial name. They ensure that names are respectful and practical for a lifetime of use.
Global Perspective
While the U.S. has relatively lenient naming laws, countries like New Zealand and Germany have stricter regulations, banning names like “Talula Does the Hula from Hawaii” and “Osama bin Laden.”
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Samuel Borges Photography.
For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.
