What names are banned in the US?

Asked by: Chelsey Conn  |  Last update: February 1, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (56 votes)

There isn't a single federal list of banned names in the U.S., as naming laws vary by state, but most states prohibit offensive words, obscenities, numerals, symbols (like @), and confusing titles (like "King" or "Santa Claus") to prevent confusion or disrespect, with examples like Adolf Hitler, Jesus Christ, Messiah, Nutella, and III having faced legal challenges and rejections in various states for being misleading or inappropriate for official records.

Is Lucifer's name banned?

Yes, the name Lucifer is banned or rejected in some countries like Germany and New Zealand due to its strong negative religious connotations, though it's often allowed in the United States. Bans usually stem from concerns that the name could be harmful, offensive, or misleading for a child, often falling under rules against names resembling titles or being overly demonic.
 

Why is Nutella an illegal name?

He said in his ruling that the name Nutella was the trade name of a spread that is commonplace in Gallic homes. "And it is contrary to the child's interest to have a name that can only lead to teasing or disparaging thoughts," he pronounced.

What are some surprisingly illegal names?

Examples of banned baby names in different countries

  • King, Queen, Prince, Princess (New Zealand, US)
  • Adolf Hitler (Germany, US)
  • Messiah (US)
  • Nutella (US)
  • @, 1069 (US)
  • Sex Fruit (New Zealand)
  • Robocop (Mexico)
  • Metallica (Sweden)

What is the most controversial name?

The Top 20 Most Controversial Baby Names For Boys And Girls...

  • Adonis. ...
  • Azriel. ...
  • Blair. ...
  • Bodhi. ...
  • Cohen. ...
  • Dixie. ...
  • Gunner. ...
  • Harvey.

parents naming kids.. questionably

35 related questions found

Are there forbidden names in the US?

In the U.S., parents can get wildly creative with baby names, but 11 have been officially ruled off-limits by courts. These banned names include King, Queen, Jesus Christ, III, Santa Claus, Majesty, Adolf Hitler, Nutella, Messiah, @, and 1069.

Can I name my kid Skibidi?

You can technically name a child "Skibidi" in many places, but it's strongly discouraged by naming experts and even governments (like Malaysia's) due to the name's origin in a viral, nonsensical meme, making it highly likely to cause teasing, confusion, and potential distress for the child, potentially leading to bullying or social difficulties. 

Why is the baby name 1069 illegal?

1069 is considered an illegal baby name in some U.S. states because it's a number, and many jurisdictions prohibit numerals, symbols, or names that could cause administrative confusion or ridicule, stemming from court cases in states like North Dakota and Minnesota that denied requests for purely numerical names. Courts ruled that numbers aren't suitable for legal identification and can create issues with forms and databases, although the specific number 1069 gained notoriety from a man's failed attempt to legally change his name to it in the 1970s. 

What is the longest legal name?

NEED TO KNOW

  • Laurence Gregory Watkins of New Zealand changed his legal name in 1990 by adding more than 2,000 middle names.
  • Guinness World Records gave him the title of world's longest name, with his full name being 2,253 unique words.

Who is named Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116?

Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116, ostensibly pronounced [ˈǎlːbɪn] ("Albin"), was a name intended for a Swedish child born in 1991. Parents Elisabeth Hallin and Lasse Diding gave their child this name to protest a fine, imposed in accordance with the naming law in Sweden.

What is the rarest name to name your kid?

Explore Uncommon Baby Girl and Boy Names

  • Emilea.
  • Hester.
  • Yoko.
  • Maxfield.
  • Thorn.
  • Branwen.
  • Calico.
  • Fenella.

Can I name my kid king?

Banned names in USA include King, Queen, Messiah.

Can Muslims have Nutella?

Is Nutella halal? Yes, Nutella is halal but the commercial one, and as far as I know Nutella does not contain any haram ingredient. Although, in every packaging, the permissible percentage of alcohol content should be labeled and certified.

Is naming your kid Jesus illegal?

Naming a child "Jesus" (or "Jesus Christ") is illegal in some U.S. states, like New Jersey and others, due to potential blasphemy or confusion with the religious figure, while it's a common, accepted name in many Spanish-speaking cultures and countries; laws vary significantly by location, with some places banning religiously significant names like "Messiah," titles (King, Queen), or offensive terms, but court decisions can overturn these bans, as seen in cases challenging religious restrictions. 

Can I call my child Jesus in Australia?

For example, religious titles for a first name such as Saint, Bishop, Goddess, Father, Sister or Pope, and the complete names of religious figures such as 'Jesus Christ', 'God', 'Satan', or 'Dalai Lama', are prohibited names.

Can I call my kid Nutella?

No, you generally cannot name your child Nutella because it's a trademarked brand name and courts, particularly in France and some U.S. states, have ruled it against the child's best interest due to potential mockery, with judges often renaming the child to something like "Ella" instead, though specific laws vary by location.
 

Is there a girl with 1000 letters in her name?

Yes, there was a girl, nicknamed "Jamie," who gained fame in 1997 for having a Guinness World Record-holding name with over 1,000 letters, which her mother created for uniqueness, though she used the short name for daily life. Her full name, incorporating elements from family and culture, was so long that it was printed on a nearly two-foot-long birth certificate, and she famously recited it on The Oprah Winfrey Show. 

What is the oldest last name in the world?

The Search for the World's Oldest Surname

  • COHEN. Cohen is the world's oldest surname as per the book Jerusalem's Traitor: Josephus, Masada, and the Fall of Judea by Desmond Seward. ...
  • COURTENAY. ...
  • HATT. ...
  • KATZ. ...
  • O'BRIEN. ...
  • O'CLEIRGH / O'CLERY (now reduced to CLARK or CLARKE) ...
  • PRIEST. ...
  • SMITH or KING.

What's the rarest girl name ever?

Rare Baby Girl Names

  • Perach.
  • Phanie.
  • Salomi.
  • Megara.
  • Caliste.
  • Lune.
  • Zixuan.
  • Darana.

What can't you name your kid?

In the U.S., parents can get wildly creative with baby names, but 11 have been officially ruled off-limits by courts. These banned names include King, Queen, Jesus Christ, III, Santa Claus, Majesty, Adolf Hitler, Nutella, Messiah, @, and 1069.

Can you name your kid chucky?

Although spelled slightly differently, Chucky is also a boy's name and a variation of Charles. Meaning “free man” in German, baby Chucky will begin roaming with their little buddies from an early age.

Can I name my kid Robocop?

Robocop, Terminator, Rambo, and James Bond

Officials there feel so strongly against parents naming children after these fictional characters that they have made them illegal.

Can you name your kid Moana?

It is a beautiful Hawaiian given name meaning "ocean, sea, or expanse of water." The name has been a firm favorite among Polynesian communities for years, gaining global popularity with the release of Disney's epic animated film in 2016.

Can I name my child Krishna?

This name is richly tied to Hindu philosophy and spirituality and has gained recognition globally. Whether to honor your Hindu faith or to connect baby with the beauty of Indian heritage, Krishna makes a meaningful choice.