14 Baby Names Now Banned in the State of Texas
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The naming of babies in Texas is governed by a set of statutory rules codified under the Texas Health and Safety Code, specifically Chapter 193 and Chapter 195, which pertain to ‘vital statistics.’ The law requires parents to file a birth certificate within five days after a child’s birth; the certificate must include the child’s full legal name.
However, the state has rules about what a baby’s name can and cannot include. For instance, the state follows rules prohibiting the use of numerals or symbols in a name, except for the hyphen and apostrophe. Some names (though not officially stated) are considered offensive or problematic and are therefore banned in the state. Here are 14 baby names that are now prohibited in Texas.
Names with Majestic Titles
A generation or two ago, Texas parents might have called their favorite son or daughter by a royal title—’ King,’ ‘Princess,’ ‘Master,’ ‘Queen’—as if extending a hopeful invitation to a glorious destiny.
According to data from the Texas Vital Statistics Unit, the use of royal or aristocratic titles in given names has been disallowed as they may suggest a status that holds legal connotations, potentially infringing on equality issues. Names like “Kingston” or “Regina” (meaning queen) keep the royal essence alive within the rules.
Names with Accents
The little accents make the names more exotic and ensure they continue to celebrate a heritage. The Texas Department of State Health Services has prohibited diacritics in baby names on official documents, thereby rendering a name like José to be simply Jose.
According to experts, states face an ongoing challenge in updating legacy systems, which means names with accents are left in the lurch. Alternatives like double consonants or closely related English versions are on the table.
Names with Obscene or Foul Words
Simply put, names with obscenities or foul words of any kind are out of the question. Children shouldn’t be teased or bullied for having a name they’re ashamed of.
Between 20 and 40% of young people in the U.S. have been bullied at some point. Name is one of the top causes.
Names with Numbers
Names with any numbers in them – ‘Charles the 3rd’ or even ‘Emperor Shen the 8th’ – are on the banned list. Why the uproar? It seems like more of an homage to royalty or tradition, right?
The Office of Vital Statistics stresses that the inclusion of numerical digits in names can create confusion in vital records and documentation. Go with “Charles Third” or “Charles Trey.” Charles the III works, too.
Names with Special Characters
Among the cardinal sins are names with special characters like #, @, or %. Texas civil law dictates that names consist of what’s called the ‘standard alphabetic characters’ to ensure consistency in official documents. This makes it easier for databases (and the baby’s official documents) to handle them without a hiccup.
Parents might substitute a special character for a similar-sounding letter or phonetic equivalent – ‘Dash’ instead of ‘D-,’ ‘Atin’ instead of ‘@tin,’ and so forth.
Names with Over 100 Characters
“AntidisestablishmentarianismJohnsonSmith?” Trying to squeeze a mini-essay into a name field simply isn’t feasible. Imagine the paperwork frenzy and the tongue-twisting chaos.
Having over 100 characters in a name (first, middle, and last name letters combined) can cause issues with digital storage systems and errors caused by typing. Pick a hyphenated name (but only if it fits within the character limits), or go for initials with significant meaning.
Emojis or Pictorial Symbols as Names
The reasoning is based on administrative expediency. If we were to try to type in emojis in official databases, there would be high margins of error and technical issues.
And, to be frank, it’s a nightmare for the poor souls who have to mispronounce these vibrant characters at roll call. Opt instead for a name that conjures up a mental image, such as ‘Sunny’ for a sunny disposition or ‘Skylar’ if you’re going for heavenly allure.
Numbers as Names
It might be tempting to name your child 1069 or 13. However, names in the form of numeric digits can easily confuse computer registers and cause data input problems. Names must be pragmatic for legal documents and daily use, so a simple “6” won’t do.
Data integrity is important, and alphanumeric names could mess with systems, from social security databases to school enrollments. In fact, some studies suggest systems based on numerical coding could face discrepancies and errors.
Roman Numerals as Standalone Names
In Texas, an attempt to be Roman numeral-y and name your baby ‘III’ or ‘XIV’ isn’t going to endear you to the powers that be. A big reason is that the whole system is built to deal with the regular 26 characters of the English alphabet. Name fields in databases, for example, are not optimized for special characters.
The use of numbers as names can also interfere with data entry and search. The numeral’s Latin equivalent is a better (and lawful) option. Instead of “III,” you could opt for “Tertius” or “Quintus” for “V.”
Names with Tildes (ñ) or Umlauts (ö)
Most people add a tilde (like in Niño) or an umlaut (such as in Jörg) for flair and to show their cultural heritage. About 40.2% percent of people in Texas are of Hispanic origin, and diacritics help maintain cultural identity. But the Lone Star State has banned them on birth certificates.
Because of the limits of data processing and standardization required in Texas’s new electronic vital records system, your dream of having a baby named Chloë or Peñélope might run aground with the law.
Santa Claus
Santa will not be coming to town – at least not on a Texan birthday certificate. The name “Santa Claus” might invoke jolly old memories of the North Pole, but it’s a no-go as a baby name in Texas. The festive moniker has been deemed unsuitable for registration, mainly due to concerns over potential confusion and the implication of claims on the cultural symbol of Christmas.
If you must have that yuletide cheer in your child’s name, consider something fun like ‘Nicholas,’ after the patron saint of gift-givers, or perhaps a middle name, such as ‘Claus.’
Jesus Christ
The name “Jesús” might be common in many Hispanic communities, but ‘Jesus Christ’ as a full name is out – purely to avoid sacrilegious connotations and show respect for a revered religious figure.
If you’re eager to honor this iconic figure without causing a commotion at the courthouse, consider using names like “Cristo” or “Jaycee” – they keep the spirit without the stir.
Adolf Hitler
The name “Adolf Hitler” is linked to one of history’s darkest chapters, representing hate, war, and genocide. Both the Texas Department of State Health Services and multiple jurisdictions across the globe have determined that using Adolf Hitler as a baby name is just a bad idea.
It’s officially banned in Germany, Mexico, Malaysia, and New Zealand but not in the U.S. The Texas Department of Health and Human Services, however, keeps a blacklist of historically fraught names to prevent bullying and social stigma. If you want something that retains the same soundscape, how about ‘Adler’ or ‘Alois’? Texas birth certificates also allow initials – ‘A H’ should do the trick.
Messiah
According to the Social Security Administration, ‘Messiah’ was the 387th most popular boy’s name in the U.S. in 2012. At least 760 applications were received for the name that year. The state turned down the name, saying that giving a child the name of a spiritual leader could lead to undue societal pressure.
For example, a name such as ‘Messiha’ might fly under the radar but still sounds close enough to echo the original. ‘Micah’ and ‘Malachi’ are also less likely to trigger the do-not-say list but ensure that baby names maintain their Biblical bona fides.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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