No baby Santa? These 10 baby names are banned in the U.S.

No baby Santa? These 10 baby names are banned in the U.S.

By Julia Gomez and Greta Cross

USA TODAY, June 4, 2025

Looking for a unique name to give your baby that would help them stand out in a crowd? The sky is (nearly) the limit, but it's best to avoid these 10 offensive or confusing names that are banned in the United States.

Japan has recently banned what is known as "shiny" or "glittery" names, which are names with unusual pronunciations, according to The Guardian.

These names could include anything from Pikachu to Nike, according to CNN.

But Japan isn't the only country to have banned baby names.

The United States is more relaxed on naming protocol than other countries, but there are still some rules. Some states have stricter naming laws, and other states don't have any, but some names have been ruled illegal by U.S. courts.

Though your child might seem like royalty to you, you might want to avoid naming them King or Queen: Those names have been banned in the United States, according to USBirthCertificates.com.

Are any baby names banned in the U.S.?

These names have been ruled illegal by courts in the U.S., according to USBirthCertificates.com:

King

Queen

Jesus Christ

III

Santa Claus

Majesty

Adolf Hitler

Messiah

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