In the state of Georgia, certain baby names are officially banned due to legal, cultural, and practical reasons aimed at ensuring clarity, respect, and social harmony. While parents often seek unique or meaningful names for their children, Georgia enforces specific restrictions to avoid confusion, offense, or administrative difficulties. Here are four notable baby names currently banned in Georgia and the reasons behind their prohibition:
1. King
The name “King” is banned because it is a royal title rather than a personal name. Georgia restricts such titles to prevent any implication of authority, social rank, or hierarchy in official documents and social interactions. This helps maintain equality and avoids misunderstandings that could arise from using titles as names.
2. Jesus Christ
“Jesus Christ” is prohibited as a baby name due to its deep religious significance in Christianity. Using this name could be seen as blasphemous or offensive to many, potentially causing social controversy or discomfort. Georgia’s ban reflects a respect for religious sentiments and aims to avoid public disputes over sacred figures.
3. III
The name “III,” a Roman numeral often used to denote generational suffixes, is banned because it lacks clarity as a standalone name and can cause confusion in legal and administrative records. Georgia requires names to be clear and easily distinguishable to ensure precise identification and avoid errors in official documentation.
4. Lucifer
“Lucifer” is banned due to its strong negative connotations as a name associated with the devil. The state aims to protect children from potential ridicule, discrimination, or psychological harm that might arise from carrying a name with overwhelmingly negative societal associations.
Additional Naming Restrictions in Georgia
Beyond these names, Georgia also prohibits the use of numbers, symbols (including accents), and offensive or obscene terms in baby names. Names that resemble titles (like “Queen” or “Mister”), names associated with notorious historical figures (such as “Hitler” or “Nazi”), and names that could infringe on trademarks or cause legal complications (like “R2D2”) are also restricted.
Georgia’s naming laws are designed to balance parental freedom with societal needs for clarity, respect, and order in public records. These regulations help ensure that names serve their essential purpose of identification without causing confusion, offense, or legal issues.
In summary, the four banned baby names-King, Jesus Christ, III, and Lucifer-reflect Georgia’s efforts to maintain social respect, administrative clarity, and protect children from negative associations.
Sources:-
[1] https://kicks99.com/listicle/illegal-baby-names-in-georgia-and-south-carolina/
[2] https://kmag991.iheart.com/featured/wayne-and-tay/content/2023-01-03-what-to-know-about-baby-names-reportedly-banned-in-america/
[3] https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/georgia/Ga-Comp-R-Regs-R-511-1-3-.08
[4] https://www.usbirthcertificates.com/articles/illegal-baby-names
[5] https://mamabeanparenting.com/baby-names-the-state-of-georgia-doesnt-allow-and-the-reasons-why/
[6] https://nameberry.com/blog/banned-baby-names-so-outrageous-they-wound-up-in-court
[7] https://www.mother.ly/pregnancy/baby-names/banned-baby-names/
[8] https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/825412/worlds-most-controversial-baby-names-why-illegal/
[9] https://www.usbirthcertificates.com/articles/us-naming-laws-by-state
[10] https://eurweb.com/2025/controversial-baby-names/
[11] https://www.reddit.com/r/Sakartvelo/comments/8f86g8/a_few_questions_about_first_names_in_georgia/