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We've all heard or met kids with unusual names. Teachers, am I right?
But there are actually 9 baby names that are illegal in the United States. They're not just bad parental decisions. They are against the law.
Different states have different laws (Kentucky is the only state with no baby-naming laws whatsoever). They are usually because the names are obscene, derogatory, or would be bad for the child's future mental health and well-being.
Photo: Getty Images
Here they are. You are not allowed by law to name your baby:
- Santa Claus
- Majesty
- Adolf Hitler
- Messiah
- @
- King
- Queen
- Jesus Christ
- III
Apparently, if you name your child one of these names, it is rejected and get a birth certificate with another name (who gets to pick for you?) or you're told to submit another name.
Some states have character limits. Arizona limits you to 141 (or just over one tweet), while Texas says no more than 100 characters. California is one of the few states that allows hyphens (which is how Elon Musk and Grimes could name their first child X Æ A-12.