Banned in New York: 8 Baby Names That Are Illegal

Naming a child is an important decision, often influenced by cultural traditions, family heritage, or personal meaning. While New York provides parents with significant freedom in selecting names, there are legal guidelines that must be followed when registering a name on an official birth certificate. These regulations ensure clarity and prevent potential issues with identification and documentation.

Rules for Naming a Child in New York

The New York Department of Health and the Office of Vital Records establish and enforce naming regulations. Key restrictions include:

No Special Characters or Numbers – Names cannot include numbers, symbols, punctuation marks, or emojis. For example, entries like “@livia” or “John#5” would be rejected.
Character Limits – Names must fit within the allocated space on official documents, meaning excessively long names may be denied.
Inappropriate or Offensive Content – Names containing offensive language, racial slurs, or explicit words are not allowed.
Titles or Misleading Names – Names that imply an official title or rank, such as “Judge,” “Doctor,” or “President,” may be rejected if they are deemed misleading. However, some traditional names like “Prince” or “Duke” may be accepted.
Fraudulent or Deceptive Names – Any name intended to mislead or deceive authorities, commit fraud, or evade legal obligations will not be approved.

Names That Are Likely to Be Rejected

Although New York does not maintain a formal list of prohibited names, certain names have been rejected in other jurisdictions and would likely face similar treatment, including:

“Adolf Hitler” – Due to its historical and political associations.
“Lucifer” – Often denied because of religious connotations.
“Jesus Christ” – Could be rejected due to misrepresentation.
“$teven” or “@shley” – Includes special characters.
“2024” – Uses numbers instead of traditional letters.

What Happens If a Name Is Not Approved?

If a chosen name does not meet state requirements, parents will be asked to provide an alternative. For individuals seeking to change their name later in life, they must go through the New York court system to legally modify it in compliance with state regulations.

Ensuring a Smooth Naming Process

While parents have the flexibility to choose unique names, they should be aware of the legal restrictions to prevent complications. Avoiding symbols, offensive language, and misleading titles will help ensure a smooth registration process. If parents have any concerns, they can consult the New York Department of Health or their local Office of Vital Records for guidance before submitting a birth certificate application .

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keelee-mccain

Keelee McCain is a junior at Weber High School. This is her second year on staff, this year as Assistant to the Chief. She does have a life (probably) but she can't think of anything to write in here, so she's probably just going to ramble now. She has an orange cat who she likes better than any human. If you see her being quiet or not sitting on top of a desk, there is something very wrong. In her free time she enjoys harassing her favorite teachers and sleeping. Her life plans include making it through high school and leaving. Happy lifeing.