10 baby names banned in the US – and the surprising reasons why
Some US baby names are banned for being too royal, too symbolic, or just too confusing – here’s why.
Choosing your baby’s name is one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking parts of becoming a parent. But while most unusual baby names pass without a hitch, there’s a short list of banned baby names in the US that registrars simply won’t approve.
And no, it’s not just about offensive language. In America, baby name laws also cover titles, symbols, and even numbers, meaning your creative choice could get stopped before it ever makes it to a birth certificate.
Why some baby names are illegal in America
The US doesn’t have one national rulebook for names – baby name laws vary from state to state. But common restrictions include:
- No numbers or symbols – so you can’t name your baby R2-D2 or 1069.
- No offensive or obscene language – obvious, but still enforced.
- No official titles – names like King or Judge are often blocked.
- Character limits – some states limit how long a name can be.
California, for example, doesn’t allow accents, but does allow hyphens and apostrophes. That’s how Elon Musk and Grimes’ baby ended up legally named X AE A-XII instead of his original, more symbolic version.
10 banned baby names in the US
While the list is small compared to other countries, these names have been officially rejected somewhere in America:
- King – classed as a title, not a personal name.
- Queen – same reasoning as King.
- Jesus Christ – banned to avoid religious offence.
- III – Roman numerals don’t count as names.
- Santa Claus – to prevent impersonation or confusion.
- Majesty – another title-based rejection.
- Adolf Hitler – blocked for obvious historical and ethical reasons.
- Messiah – ruled illegal in certain states after court cases.
- @ – symbols are not allowed in most states.
- 1069 – numbers are a clear no-go.
The world’s strangest banned baby names
Other countries have much stricter naming laws. In New Zealand, you can’t use “Sex Fruit”, “Chief Maximus” or “Talula Does the Hula from Hawaii”. France has stopped parents naming babies “Nutella”, and Iceland bans names that don’t fit with the Icelandic language, which once meant a little girl called Harriet had to use a different name on her passport.
In Sweden, “Metallica” and the famously bizarre BRFXXCCXXMNPCCCCLLLMMNPRXVCLMNCKSSQLBB11116 have both been rejected. These weird illegal names might sound funny, but the reasoning is the same everywhere, to protect children from embarrassment or practical problems later in life.
How to choose a unique name without breaking the rules
If you love distinctive names but don’t want to fall foul of naming restrictions, here’s how to keep it legal:
- Check local laws before you get attached to a name.
- Think long-term – imagine the name on a CV or wedding invite.
- Avoid titles, symbols and numbers – they’re the most common dealbreakers.
- Keep it simple to spell – overly long or complex names can cause admin headaches.
- Say it out loud and get feedback from someone who’ll be honest.
A banned name might make for a quirky headline, but your child will carry their name for life, through school registers, job interviews and beyond. The most unusual baby names can still be legal, personal and creative, as long as they follow the rules.
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Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.