Naming a baby in America feels like an act of pure freedom. Parents can get creative, go bold, and pick something that feels just right for their new arrival. Want to name your child American Pie Jones? Go ahead. Feel like giving your daughter a name inspired by a fictional character? No one will stop you.
But here’s something most parents don’t realize. Not every name is fair game. Courts across America have drawn lines in the sand, and certain names have been ruled off-limits. We’re not talking about a handful of suggestions or gentle recommendations from hospital staff. We’re talking about names that are flat-out illegal.
And while you might assume these banned names sound outlandish or bizarre, some of them might surprise you. A few even sound pretty ordinary at first glance.
So what names made the list? And why do different states have wildly different rules about what you can call your baby? Let’s break it down.
America Gives Parents Plenty of Freedom, But Limits Exist
Countries like New Zealand, Iceland, Denmark, Italy, and Japan take a strict approach to baby naming. Some require parents to choose from an approved list. Others ban specific names outright. American parents, by contrast, enjoy far more flexibility.
Most families in America never bump up against any legal restrictions when naming their children. Creativity runs wild, and unique names have become something of a cultural norm. Yet “unique” can sometimes veer into territory that courts find unacceptable.
According to USbirthcertificates.com, 11 names have been ruled illegal by courts in America. Each name on the list was challenged and banned through actual legal proceedings. And while state laws vary, these particular names have crossed a line that judges refused to ignore.
Names That Courts Have Banned
Here’s the full list of names that American parents cannot give their babies.
- King
- Queen
- Jesus Christ
- III
- Santa Claus
- Majesty
- Adolf Hitler
- Nutella
- Messiah
- @
- 1069
Some of these make immediate sense. Adolf Hitler carries obvious historical weight that courts deemed inappropriate. Santa Claus and Jesus Christ present religious and cultural concerns. Using @ as a name or the number sequence 1069 creates practical problems for record-keeping and official documents.
Others feel less obvious. Messiah, for example, sparked a court case in Tennessee back in 2013. A judge initially changed a baby’s name from Messiah to Martin, arguing that only one person had earned that title. An appeals court later overturned that decision, but the case showed how contentious baby naming can become.
Names like King, Queen, and Majesty fall into a category that some courts view as problematic. Titles of nobility or royalty can create confusion about a person’s actual status. And while these might sound harmless, they’ve faced legal challenges in certain jurisdictions.
Every State Plays by Different Rules
Baby naming laws in America lack uniformity. What flies in one state might get rejected in another. And some states have almost no restrictions at all. California and New Jersey ban obscene names. Parents in those states can expect pushback if they try to register something vulgar or offensive on a birth certificate.
Hawaii and Alaska carve out exceptions for indigenous naming traditions. Special symbols used in Kānaka ‘Ōiwi and Inupiaq cultures are permitted, even though most states reject special characters.
North Carolina allows tildes, meaning names like Toño are acceptable. Virginia, however, bans tildes entirely. Parents who move between these states might find themselves dealing with paperwork headaches. Most states reject numerals, emojis, and special characters outright. A name like 7 or 🌟 won’t make it onto a birth certificate in the majority of American jurisdictions.
Character Limits and Surname Rules Add Another Layer
Beyond banned names and symbol restrictions, many states impose character limits on baby names. New York caps first and middle names at 30 characters each. Surnames cannot exceed 40 characters. Parents who want to honor multiple family members with a long hyphenated name might find themselves running up against these limits.
Texas takes a more generous approach, allowing up to 100 characters for first and middle names combined. Massachusetts limits first, middle, and last names to 40 characters each. Arizona sets a total cap of 141 characters across all names.
Surname rules get even more specific in certain states. Mississippi defaults to giving babies their father’s last name unless parents request something different. Louisiana assigns babies their mother’s last name if she isn’t married within 300 days of giving birth. And in Florida, if parents fail to sign a document agreeing on their baby’s name, a court will step in and choose one for them.
Illinois and South Carolina Throw Out the Rulebook
Parents who want maximum freedom should consider where they give birth. Illinois has no naming regulations whatsoever. Numbers, symbols, and unusual characters are all fair game. South Carolina takes a similar approach, allowing parents to use numbers and symbols in their children’s names.
For families who want something truly unconventional, these states offer a path forward that other jurisdictions don’t provide.
Short Names Will Rule 2026
With legal restrictions covered, let’s turn to what parents are actually choosing. Trends shift every year, and 2026 looks set to bring some interesting changes.
Colleen Slagen has worked as a professional baby namer since 2022. Before launching her naming consultancy, she spent years as a nurse practitioner. Her expertise now reaches thousands through TikTok videos and her book, Naming Bebe, which guides parents through the naming process.
According to Slagen, short names will dominate in 2026. Four-letter names feel cool and require no nickname. Parents appreciate how clean and complete they sound.
For girls, expect to see more babies named Indi, Gwen, Lana, and Alba. For boys, Luca, Rome, Elio, Dean, and Bode are gaining momentum.
“I have worked with so many families who have accidentally started this trend with their children and then continued it for the whole set!” Slagen told People magazine.
Once parents discover they like short names, they often stick with that pattern for all their children. Siblings with four-letter names create a cohesive family sound that appeals to many modern parents.
Millennial Nostalgia Sparks a New Naming Trend
Another trend gaining traction has roots in early 2000s entertainment. Millennials who grew up watching romantic comedies are now having babies, and their viewing habits have started showing up in baby name data.
Slagen calls this phenomenon “Andi Anderson names,” referencing Kate Hudson’s character in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. In that 2003 film, Hudson played Andie Anderson, a magazine writer who takes on an unusual assignment about dating.
“Us millennials have never forgotten Kate Hudson’s iconic role as Andi Anderson in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. So much so that it’s influencing our baby naming. Parents are using names for their daughters that are traditionally used for boys,” Slagen explained.
Names that once belonged almost entirely to boys are now crossing over to girls. Parents want something with a bit of edge, a hint of tomboy energy, and a connection to characters they loved growing up.
How to Pick a Name You’ll Love Long-Term
With so many options available, choosing the right name can feel overwhelming. Experts recommend a few strategies to help parents feel confident in their decision.
First, identify your naming style. Do you prefer classic names with history behind them? Or do modern, invented names appeal to you more? Knowing your style helps narrow down thousands of options to a manageable list.
Second, give potential names a real-world test. Say the name out loud. Imagine calling it across a playground. Picture it on a resume. Think about how teachers, friends, and future employers might respond to it.
Third, avoid names that are too cutesy or too unusual. What sounds adorable for a baby might feel embarrassing for a teenager or adult. And names that are too far outside the mainstream can burden a child with constant explanations and mispronunciations.
Fourth, skip overly “matchy” names for siblings. While some coordination is fine, names that sound too similar can create confusion and rob each child of their own identity.
Finally, feel confident in your choice. Second-guessing yourself after the baby arrives is natural, but try to trust your instincts.
Baby Name Regret Is More Common Than You’d Think
Even with careful planning, some parents realize they’ve made a mistake. Maybe the name doesn’t fit the baby’s personality. Maybe they discover an unwanted association after the fact. Maybe they simply change their minds.
Slagen wants parents to know that name regret happens more often than people admit. And legal name changes remain an option for families who decide they need a fresh start.
“Baby name regret is a lot more common than you think. Going through with a name change isn’t the right choice for everyone, but it also shouldn’t be this pearl-clutching phenomenon. It’s absolutely OK to change it, own it and move forward,” Slagen told TODAY.com.
Society sometimes treats name changes as dramatic or unnecessary. But for families dealing with genuine regret, knowing they have options can provide real relief.
Finding Your Perfect Name
Baby naming in America comes with few legal barriers for most families. Outside of the 11 banned names and some state-specific restrictions, parents can choose almost anything they want. That freedom is both exciting and daunting.
Whether you’re drawn to short, punchy names like Luca and Gwen or prefer something with more letters and syllables, 2026 offers plenty of inspiration. Millennial nostalgia, nickname-proof choices, and gender-fluid naming trends all point toward an interesting year ahead.
And if you end up regretting your choice? You can always change it. No judgment necessary.
