Yes, there are illegal baby names. Here's what you can't call your kid in Arizona
One of the biggest, and most permanent, decisions new parents make is naming their baby.
For some, a baby name honors family, culture or tradition. For others, it's a chance to unleash creativity and get, well ... a little unique. But before you name your kid after a popular movie character or your favorite food, know this: You can't just name your baby anything you want.
While rules vary by state, many ban names with numbers, symbols, obscenities or royal titles. Arizona plays it fairly chill — the state doesn't have a list of banned baby names but names must use standard characters and fit on legal forms.
So if you're dreaming up a one-of-a-kind baby name, here's what to know before it gets flagged at the birth certificate office.
Yes, there are things you can't legally name a baby but it depends on the state. In general, names that include symbols like @ or #) numbers, obscene language or titles like King or Messiah can be rejected.
Here are 11 names that have been banned in the U.S., according to USBirthCertificates.com:
King.
Queen.
Jesus Christ.
Santa Claus.
Majesty.
Adolf Hitler.
Messiah.
@.
Nutella.
1069.
III.
Arizona's primary law about baby names pertains to length: Arizona parents can use a maximum of 141 characters for a full name — allocating 45 characters each for the first, middle and last names and up to six characters for a suffix.
Here are more key rules about baby names in Arizona:
What's allowed: You can use letters, apostrophes, hyphens, periods and spaces.
What's not allowed: No numbers, emojis, symbols or non-English letters (like ñ or é) are permitted.
Offensive names: There's no official banned list in Arizona, but names that are obscene or harmful may be rejected.
No, you legally can't name your son "King" in Arizona. It has been ruled illegal by U.S. courts.
In general, parents can choose nearly any name they want for their child, including unique or culturally significant names.
Most states allow the use of letters from the English alphabet, hyphens and apostrophes — so names like 'Mary-Jane' or 'O'Connor' are typically fine. Some states allow a single-name mononym, like 'Prince,' though that may require a special petition or court approval.
Some baby-name restrictions are designed to maintain consistency in record-keeping and to avoid potential harm or confusion. For example, numerals and symbols, such as 'Baby #1' or '1069,' are usually prohibited, as most government forms and databases can't process them.
Similarly, most states limit the total number of characters allowed in a name. Names that include obscenities, racial slurs or hate speech are also rejected.
Another common restriction is on the use of titles like 'Doctor,' 'King,' or 'Judge,' which are often denied because they could be misleading. Some states also restrict religious names like 'Messiah' or 'Jesus Christ,' though these decisions have been challenged in court with varying outcomes.
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The name 1069 was banned in the U.S. because courts in North Dakota and Minnesota ruled that names composed solely of numbers could confuse legal and administrative systems.
It all started in 1976 when Michael Herbert Dengler attempted to change his name to 1069 for personal and philosophical reasons. Courts denied his request, suggesting he could use the spelled-out version, "One Zero Six Nine," instead. This case highlights how U.S. naming laws, though generally permissive, restrict names that consist entirely of numerals, symbols or titles to prevent confusion and maintain clarity in official records.
You cannot legally have no name. Government systems like Social Security and motor vehicle departments, banks, and health-care providers require a name for identification. Even if you tried to leave it blank, the system would assign a placeholder.
However, you can legally change your name to something extremely minimal, such as just one name, or even something very unconventional, all within reason.
Got a story you want to share? Reach out at Tiffany.Acosta@gannett.com. Follow @tiffsario on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: From Nutella to 1069: Baby names that are illegal in the US
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