What names can you legally not use?

Asked by: Ray Schowalter  |  Last update: February 14, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (60 votes)

You can't legally have names like Adolf Hitler, Santa Claus, Jesus Christ, King, Queen, or Majesty, or use symbols/numbers like @ or 1069, as these are banned in various US states and countries to prevent confusion, offense, or impersonation, though restrictions vary widely, with some places banning names like Sex Fruit (NZ) or Robocop (Mexico) for being culturally inappropriate or ridiculous.

Are any names illegal 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.

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)

Why is the 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. 

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.

Can You Self Publish Under a Pen Name in 2023

15 related questions found

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. 

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.
 

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's the rarest girl name ever?

Rare Baby Girl Names

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

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. 

What am I not allowed to name my baby?

Obscene or offensive names are: Swear words. Descriptions of lewd or sexual acts. Racial, ethnic or cultural slurs or that imply racial, ethnic or cultural slurs.

What is a good rebel name?

Good rebel names often evoke strength, nature, defiance, or new beginnings, with popular choices including Maverick, Phoenix, Rogue, Storm, Blaze, Hunter, Quinn, and Xander, while group names can use powerful imagery like The Phoenix Vanguard, Forgeborn, or Shattered Crown for a revolutionary feel, balancing edgy with meaningful concepts. 

Can I legally have no name?

Police won't arrest you for not having a name. But you can't legally identify yourself without one, which would make things difficult for you. For instance, you need a legal name on a birth certificate or social security card to obtain a driver's license or passport, open a bank account and get a job.

What names can I not call my child?

In 2015 these were the top 27 names rejected in 2015, which means people tried to name their children with these monikers...

  • Messiah.
  • King.
  • Royal.
  • Prince.
  • Royale.
  • Bishop.
  • Empress.
  • Princess.

What is the rarest U.S. name?

Unique Baby Names by State

Some of the rarer names identified include Wylder in Vermont, Naim in Delaware, Mazikeen in Wyoming, Babyboy in New Hampshire, and Jahziel in Rhode Island. These names were given to only five babies within their respective states over the past 23 years.

Who decides if a name is illegal?

Key Takeaways. Both parents usually have equal rights to name or change their child's name, but if they disagree, state laws and courts may decide. Naming laws differ by state, with some states having restrictions on certain types of names, like those with symbols or too many characters.

What girl has 1000 letters in her name?

The girl with over 1,000 letters in her name, who gained fame on The Oprah Winfrey Show, is known as Jamie Williams, but her full name is Rhoshandiatellyneshiaunneveshenkescianneshaimondrischlyndasaccarnaerenquellenendrasamecashaunettethalemeicoleshiwhalhinive'onchellecaundenesheaalausondrilynnejeanetrimyranaekuesaundrilynnezekeriakenvaunetradevonneyavondalatarneskcaevontaepreonkeinesceellaviavelzadawnefriendsettajessicannelesciajoyvaelloydietteyvettesparklenesceaundrieaquenttaekatilyaevea'shauwneoraliaevaekizzieshiyjuanewandalecciannereneitheliapreciousnesceverroneccaloveliatyronevekacarrionnehenriettaescecleonpatrarutheliacharsalynnmeokcamonaeloiesalynnecsiannemerciadellesciaustillaparissalondonveshadenequamonecaalexetiozetiaquaniaenglaundneshiafrancethosharomeshaunnehawaineakowethauandavernellchishankcarlinaaddoneillesciachristondrafawndrealaotrelleoctavionnemiariasarahtashabnequckagailenaxeteshiataharadaponsadeloriakoentescacraigneckadellanierstellavonnemyiatangoneshiadianacorvettinagodtawndrashirlenescekilokoneyasharrontannamyantoniaaquinettesequioadaurilessiaquatandamerceddiamaebellecescajamesauwnneltomecapolotyoajohnyaetheodoradilcyanaKoyaanisqatsiuthawyhaiashieakhauwnne Williams. Her mother gave her the lengthy name in 1984 to be unique, and Jamie was nicknamed "Jamie" or "Jameshauwnnel". 

What is a vintage girl's name?

Vintage girl names are classic, old-fashioned choices seeing a revival, often evoking charm and history, with popular examples including Eleanor, Clara, Beatrice, Mabel, Josephine, Amelia, Flora, Iris, and Hazel, alongside sweet nicknames like Ada, Millie, Sadie, and Winnie, and nature-inspired options such as Ruby, Pearl, and Ivy. These names often come from earlier generations but feel fresh today, offering a blend of elegance and familiar appeal.
 

What is the #1 girl name?

The number one girl name in the U.S. for recent years, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and other baby name trackers, is Olivia, followed closely by names like Emma and Amelia, with Olivia holding the top spot for several years straight. While regional or site-specific lists (like BabyCenter's 2025 predictions) might vary slightly in order, Olivia consistently ranks first for popular girl names in the United States. 

What long name is banned in Sweden?

So, it's not surprising to learn that the name Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116 was not approved. In 1996, a Swedish family chose this unusual, 43-character name for their son – to be pronounced, Albin – in protest after they were fined for not registering his name before his fifth birthday.

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.
 

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 you name your kid Osama?

In the United States, there are no federal laws regarding naming, but some states ban certain names that are considered embarrassing or inappropriate, such as “Female,” “Santa Claus,” and “King.” Internationally, individual countries elect their own naming laws, but some names—such as “Adolf Hitler,” “Aryan,” or “Osama ...