Naming a child is an important decision, but did you know that certain names are actually illegal in Ohio? While the state does not have an extensive list of banned names, there are legal restrictions that prevent parents from choosing certain names for their children. These restrictions are primarily in place to maintain order, prevent confusion, and protect the child’s well-being.
Here’s what you need to know about illegal names in Ohio.
Naming Laws in Ohio
Ohio law does not have an official banned list of names, but there are specific rules and regulations that limit what parents can put on a birth certificate. These restrictions generally fall into a few key categories:
1. Numbers and Symbols Are Not Allowed
Ohio prohibits names that contain numbers, symbols, or punctuation marks (except for hyphens and apostrophes in certain cases). For example:
- “J@ckson” (contains a symbol)
- “Emily#1” (contains a number and symbol)
2. Obscene or Offensive Names Are Banned
Any name that is considered obscene, offensive, or promotes hate speech is not allowed. This includes racial slurs, profanities, and names associated with criminal activity or extremism.
- Names containing racial slurs
- Profanity or vulgar words
- Names associated with notorious criminals
3. Extremely Long Names May Be Rejected
While Ohio does not specify a maximum number of characters for a name, excessively long names may be denied because they do not fit within official records. Some states have imposed limits (such as 100 characters), and Ohio likely follows similar guidelines.
4. Impersonation of Official Titles Is Restricted
Parents cannot name their child after official government positions, such as “President,” “Judge,” or “King,” in a way that suggests the child holds a real title. These are banned in Ohio:
- King James
- President Washington
- Justice Roberts
Can You Change Your Name to an Illegal Name in Ohio?
If you are an adult and want to change your name, you must file a legal name change request with the court. The same rules apply—names that are misleading, obscene, or contain symbols will likely be denied.
Conclusion
While Ohio does not have a long list of outright banned names, parents must follow legal guidelines when naming their children. Avoiding numbers, symbols, offensive words, excessively long names, and misleading titles will help ensure that a child’s name is legally accepted.
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