Names are more than just labels, they reflect culture, identity, and values. However, around the world, some names are so controversial, bizarre, or disruptive that governments have declared them illegal. From names that mimic royalty to ones loaded with profanity or political tension, countries (and U.S. states) set naming laws to protect children from ridicule or harm.
What’s accepted in one culture might be a banned name in another. In Iceland, for example, names must fit native grammar rules, while New Zealand draws a hard line at names like “Violence” or “Sex Fruit.” Germany requires that a name clearly reflect a person’s gender. Some countries even maintain approved name lists, rejecting any name that’s not on their list – or an “official name listing” like BabyNames.com. These bans might sound strict or even silly, but they’re often intended to safeguard a child’s dignity.
In the United States, the legality of baby names is determined at the state level, so there’s no single nationwide list of banned names. However, many states do have restrictions on names based on practical, legal, or cultural considerations. California requires that there be no diacritical marks (like ñ or é), no symbols, and certainly no emojis! Texas also bans symbols, foreign characters, or overly long names. The state of Georgia requires that names use the English alphabet with no symbols or numerals.
Here are some categories and examples of banned baby names that are illegal, restricted, or caused uproar in certain U.S. states.
Numbers (Numerals) in Baby Names
Numerals (symbols representing numbers like 7) are often unacceptable to be included in baby names in the United States. This became notable when Elon Musk originally named his son X Æ A-12. According to law in California, you must use the 26 alphabetical letters of the English language, so the name was changed to X Æ A-XII, substituting the Roman Numeral for twelve, acceptable because it uses letters from the English alphabet. Most U.S. states do not allow numbers, symbols, or punctuation marks in names (except hyphens and apostrophes in some cases).
Obscene or Offensive Names
You can’t use what’s considered racial slurs or profanity in most U.S. states. Names that could be considered offensive are also typically not allowed. For example, in 2009, a New Jersey couple named their child Adolf Hitler Campbell, which sparked national outrage. Although it was not illegal to use this name, child services got involved and the parents eventually changed the child’s name. Many states reserve the right to deny names that could be considered offensive, especially if it may cause undue harm to the child.
Names Including Titles or Ranks
Although surprisingly popular, some states (like California and Texas) restrict names that imply official titles or ranks. This can vary from state to state. “King” and “Messiah” are legal in some states but banned in others. Messiah was banned in Tennessee in 2013, but the decision was overturned by a judge.
Doesn’t Compute
States like Massachusetts and California may reject names that are too long for government forms, computer systems, or names that use non-standard characters, like emojis or foreign scripts. In fact many states and countries around the world now do not accept names that cannot be input into computer software, where name fields are limited to a certain number and type of characters.
Names of Fictional Characters
In the United States, names based on fictional characters are not automatically illegal, but they have occasionally been rejected or challenged—typically at the state or clerk level—when officials believe the name could lead to ridicule, confusion, or administrative issues. That said, enforcement is inconsistent, and many fictional names have been accepted. Names that have banned or have sparked controversy, include Santa Claus, Batman, Spiderman, Shrek, and Cinderella.
Illegal Baby Names Outside of the U.S.
Certain countries outside of the U.S. can be more restrictive in their baby naming requirements. Denmark, for instance, requires names to be selected from an official list (apparently Pluto and Monkey are not on this list as they were rejected). In Germany, names must clearly indicate gender, which certainly has become controversial. If you are naming a baby in Iceland, you must use must follow the Icelandic alphabet and grammar.
Rejected, denied, or illegal baby names from around the world:
New Zealand
- Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii – Banned; girl was placed in guardianship to change her name.
- Fish and Chips – Denied.
- Sex Fruit – Denied.
- Lucifer – Rejected.
- Violence – Not allowed.
- Number 16 Bus Shelter – Rejected.
Sweden
- Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116 – Parents protested naming laws with this absurd name (meant to be pronounced “Albin”). Denied.
- Metallica – Rejected due to being a trademarked band name.
- IKEA – Denied.
Denmark
- Anus – Denied.
- Pluto – Denied.
- Monkey – Denied.
Germany
- Osama bin Laden – Rejected.
- Stompie – Denied for being too informal.
- Matti – Rejected for not indicating gender clearly.
France
- Nutella – Rejected; court said it would subject the child to mockery.
- Strawberry (Fraise) – Rejected.
- Prince William – Rejected as it might lead to ridicule.
Iceland
- Harriet and Duncan – Banned; can’t be grammatically incorporated into the Icelandic language.
Not surprisingly, some of the wildest names across the world come from celebrities. Magician Penn Jillette named his daughter Moxie CrimeFighter and influencer Trisha Paytas named her daughter Malibu Barbie. And we can’t forget that actor Jason Lee named his son Pilot Inspektor after a song lyric. See our list of celebrities’ baby names for other examples. What are some of the most interesting or wild names you have heard?
Thinking of changing your name? Check out the comprehensive Name Change Laws in the United States by state.
Mallory Moss is the co-founder of BabyNames.com and co-host of The Baby Names Podcast. Mallory is a nursing doctorate with a passion for baby names, the Cubs, and genealogy. Mallory has had many professional roles in life, including working in the past as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, ESL teacher, and medical writer. She has one grown daughter, Veronica, who lives in Austria.
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