Choosing a name for your newborn is one of the most meaningful decisions a parent can make. For many, it’s a deeply personal choice, reflecting cultural, religious, or familial traditions. But while the possibilities seem endless, there are legal boundaries—yes, even in the land of the free.
In Arizona, certain baby names are not allowed due to state laws and administrative guidelines. Whether it’s to prevent confusion in government databases or to uphold decency standards, the state has clear rules about what you can’t name your child.
If you’re an expecting parent in Arizona, here’s what you need to know about name restrictions—and the 8 names you absolutely cannot give your baby.
1. King, Queen, or Anything That Sounds Like a Title
Arizona prohibits the use of royal titles as legal names. That means you can’t legally name your baby “King,” “Queen,” “Prince,” “Princess,” “Duke,” or “Sir.” While these may seem like empowering or regal choices, the Arizona Department of Health Services flags them as misleading or confusing in official records.
Why it’s banned: Titles can suggest a false identity or rank. These names are considered inappropriate for legal identification purposes.
2. Symbols and Punctuation Marks
You might think naming your child “@ndrew” or “#Blessed” is clever or creative, but Arizona won’t allow it. Any name with a symbol (like @, #, $, %, &) or unnecessary punctuation (colons, asterisks, etc.) is not permitted.
Why it’s banned: State birth certificate systems can’t process symbols, and such names can break official databases and cause legal issues later in life.
3. Numbers as Names
Arizona won’t allow names that include numerals—whether it’s “Baby 007” or “Number5.” While it’s okay to spell out numbers (like “Seven” or “Ten”), Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3…) are not accepted in first or middle names.
Why it’s banned: Names with numerals are incompatible with digital and legal systems that require letters only.
4. Obscenities or Offensive Language
Any name that includes profanity, racial slurs, or vulgar language is strictly prohibited in Arizona. You can’t legally name your baby anything obscene or offensive to public decency.
Why it’s banned: Names must comply with community standards and protect the child from ridicule or harm. Arizona law enforces this to prevent bullying and legal complications.
5. Names With Excessive Length
While there’s no exact character limit stated in Arizona statutes, practical limitations exist. Extremely long names—usually those over 50 characters per first, middle, or last name—may be rejected by the state’s Vital Records system.
Why it’s banned: Long names often can’t be processed by official databases like Social Security or DMV systems, causing lifelong complications.
6. Blank or Unnamed Entries
Parents who try to leave the first name blank or list it as “Baby Boy” or “Baby Girl” beyond a certain time frame after birth will face restrictions. While temporary placeholders are acceptable, Arizona requires that babies be given a formal name within a set period.
Why it’s banned: The state needs accurate identification for health records, citizenship, and legal purposes. A blank or placeholder name can delay government services.
7. Names That Incite Violence or Hate
Names that promote terrorism, hate groups, or incite violence are flagged and rejected. For instance, attempts to name a baby after extremist groups or notorious historical figures associated with atrocities may be declined.
Why it’s banned: Arizona protects public order and safety by disallowing names that glorify violence or could be seen as hate speech.
8. Unpronounceable Strings of Letters
Names like “XÆA-12” (famously attempted by Elon Musk and Grimes in California) would likely be denied in Arizona if they include unpronounceable sequences. A name must contain recognizable characters from the English alphabet and be phonetic to a degree.
Why it’s banned: The state mandates that names be easily recordable, pronounceable, and readable by public systems and officials
What Happens If You Try Anyway?
If you submit a birth certificate application with an illegal name, the Arizona Office of Vital Records will reject it and ask you to choose a different name. If you refuse, the birth certificate may be issued with a placeholder, which can create legal headaches later on. Parents can appeal the decision, but the burden of proof lies with them to justify the name within Arizona’s naming guidelines.
Final Thoughts
While Arizona does impose some limitations, you still have plenty of freedom to choose a name that reflects your heritage, creativity, and love. Just remember: your child will carry their name throughout their life. Ensuring it’s not just meaningful—but also legal—can save everyone a lot of trouble.
Before finalizing your baby’s name, check with the Arizona Department of Health Services or your hospital’s records department. When in doubt, it’s better to choose a unique but legal name than one that gets flagged by the system.